nOAKES SYDNEY GOLD COAST RACE
26 - 28 JUL 2025
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
ABOUT
The Noakes Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race is a highlight of the Australian offshore sailing calendar, held each year in late July and hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. The race covers a 384-nautical-mile course starting from Sydney Harbour and tracking north along the scenic but challenging east coast of Australia, finishing off Main Beach on the Gold Coast. First held in 1986, the event has grown into one of the most competitive and strategically demanding offshore races in the country.
The race is renowned for its unpredictable winter conditions, ranging from fast-running offshore breezes and heavy swells to light patches and complex coastal currents - particularly the strong East Australian Current. These factors make for an exciting and tactical race where sail choices, navigation decisions, and crew endurance all play a vital role.
With a diverse fleet of yachts from around Australia and beyond, the race not only provides a serious test of offshore sailing skill but also marks the official opening of the northern regatta season. For many teams, it’s a key lead-up to major events like Hamilton Island Race Week and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
RACE REPORT
Moneypenny’s 2025 Noakes Sydney to Gold Coast campaign started with plenty of promise. We launched off the start line with a commanding position, choosing an offshore route to avoid the strong southbound East Australian Current. Holding port tack out of Sydney Heads, we made very good progress hard on the wind before crossing to the seaward side of the current. As the breeze shifted west of north, we were able to turn northward, ease sheets, set the GS inside the J3, and really fly. The Jib Top and Code 0 also came into play, helping us maintain impressive speeds.
Conditions were challenging. It was very unusual to have a big seaway still running due south, however, heading straight into this at very high reaching speeds of 15-20 knots plus. Incredibly tough going straight into large seas in constant strong winds, making for an exhilarating but punishing ride.
With only a little over 100 nautical miles to go, a routine inspection revealed cracking in a ring frame forward of the mast. While the boat was still performing at race pace, we faced a difficult call: press on to the finish with the risk of worsening the damage, or retire and ensure proper repairs. With Southport off-limits due to our draft, the original plan was to swap to the delivery crew offshore at the finish line and continue north to Hamilton Island. But with no suitable repair options along the way, we made the tough decision to retire from the race and turn south to Newcastle — over 200 nautical miles away — where we knew we could get the repairs done properly..
The decision was even harder knowing we were in a commanding position and on track for a possible win. We extend our congratulations to Smuggler for another fantastic victory.
The race also tested our crew physically. Two of our key team members — navigator Mark and boat captain Billy — suffered multiple broken ribs in the rough conditions. Both insisted on continuing, with Mark still navigating and Billy tending to the boat from his bunk. Thanks to the incredible efforts of our onboard medics, Justin and Ryan, their conditions were managed during the long passage back south.
It was a tough end to a promising race, but every challenge is building us towards our ultimate goal: the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
- Rob Appleyard (Owner & Skipper)