Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Line honours to Koa in Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race

by Di Pearson / RPAYC media 12 Apr 15:32 UTC 12 April 2025
Line honours to Koa - 2025 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race © Alex Dare, Pittwater Coffs

Koa, the TP52 owned by Andy Kearnan and co-skippered by he and Mark Griffith, has taken line honours in the 2025 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race that started off Barrenjoey Headland on Friday at 1pm.

Koa finished the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club's annual east coast classic at 11.10.21.46pm this evening, in the time of 1 day, 10hrs 21mins 46secs. It was well outside the record time set by Peter Harburg's super maxi, Black Jack, of 17hrs 10mins 31secs in 2022, but Koa's crew sailed an exemplary race.

Koa also currently holds top spot for overall honours and will be hard to beat. Behind her, six yachts are battling for a podium finish, the order changing throughout the race so far. Shortly after midnight, Richard Hudson's modified Farr 45, Pretty Woman, had assumed second place overall, overtaking Geoff Hill's Santa Cruz 72, Antipodes, from Hong Kong.

Anarchy (Grant Pocklington), Sticky (Richard Harris), last year's line honours victor, XS Moment (Ray Hudson) and Khaleesi (Sandy Farquharson) are also in the picture with the first two-handed entry, Verite, sitting eighth overall.

The J/99, Verite (Paul Beath/Teresa Michell), has led the Two-Handed division since early on, but Edward Curry-Hyde/Lincoln Dews on Toucan, a Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300, have kept them honest throughout and there is little between them in the 39th running of the 226 nautical mile race. Lake Macquarie yacht, Q (Mike Shelley/Ian Gilkes) is holding third place.

There are three multihulls racing. The Dara Johnston skippered Slingshot has led the trio on the water since the start. The Gunboat 68 had approximately 25 nautical miles to reach the finish at midnight. She will finish well outside the multihull record of the ORMA 60, Rex (Dale Mitchell), of 17h 3m, set in 2023.

However, it is Darren Drew's Wind Cheetah that holds top spot in OMR from Stephen Barton's J'Ouvert.

The fleet is sailing close to the coast, different to yesterday and earlier today when many opted to take digs offshore.

At 8.00am this morning, the fleet was spread between those hugging the coast and boats either side of the rhumbline course.

Koa was leading the 32-boat fleet, clipping along at 9.5 knots having covered 112 nautical miles since yesterday's 1pm start. She was sailing offshore, east of the rhumbline. Hot on her transom was Sticky (Richard Harris).

Giving chase was Slingshot, 7nm in arrears and Antipodes, a further 2 miles behind. Then came three overall contenders: Anarchy, sailing east of the rhumbline, while Khaleesi and Pretty Woman were hugging the coast.

Behind them, the battle was on in the IRC Two-Handed division. Verite had the bit between teeth, leading overall. She was being chased by Toucan (Edward Curry-Hyde/Lincoln Dews) which led Verite by 2 miles on the water. There are seven two-handed entries, six of them vying for IRC honours.

Last on line is Western Morning. Mark Ayto and Anto Sweetapple. The S&S 34 is some 18 miles behind their nearest competitors.

It is a very different race to last year when just three boats finished in extremely light and patchy air.

Six yachts have retired due to time pressures. Popeye, Avalanche and Wots Next are headed home to Sydney, while Inner Circle and Stampede are heading home to Lake Macquarie. Trouble & Strife from Queensland is motoring on to Coffs Harbour.

Follow competing yachts on the race tracker at: cf.yb.tl/pittwater2025
For all information, including entry list please go to: www.pittwatertocoffs.com.au

Related Articles

Fishing: Patterning brown bass
Post-spawn through summer smallies Whitewater Fishing B.A.S.S. tournament pro, Alex Redwine, talks fishing the transition period Posted today at 6:35 pm
2025 Bahamas Fly-fishing Tournament Series
Anglers to compete across some of The Bahamas' top bonefishing spots The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the launch of Bonefishing Tournament Series that will showcase diverse pristine flats across four islands - Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera and the championship round will be held in Exuma Posted on 20 Jun
Mote leads seagrass restoration initiative
Florida legislature establishes the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative Seagrasses play a crucial role in the health and resilience of Florida's coastal ecosystems. They provide nursery habitats for keystone species and stabilize shorelines and sediments. Posted on 20 Jun
Maritimo M50 Flybridge & S60 Sedan Video
We speak to Maritimo's Neil McCabe & Phil Candler We talked to Neil McCabe, Maritimo's Design Office Manager, and Phil Candler, Maritimo's General Manager Operations, to find out more about the M50 Flybridge and S60 Sedan during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 17 Jun
“I'm living my dad's dream”
Carl made sure to provide young Kyle the chance to be a seasoned pond hopper Carl Cortiana is about to turn 70, but he still remembers the days four decades ago when he'd cast a practice plug across the living room floor and his toddler son, Kyle, now a highly accomplished Vexus pro on the MLF Toyota Series. Posted on 14 Jun
Stories From The Salt - Ep.6
Insights from PENN's top anglers Whether you're a passionate saltwater angler who eagerly dedicates every spare moment to being out on the water, or you simply enjoy watching the techniques and experiences of others, we invite you to anchor up and learn some valuable insights Posted on 14 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Six
Episode Six is now live - Are boat shows still relevant? Episode Six - asks the question, 'Are boat shows still Relevant?' We also offer some thoughts on changes and updates. The final episode of Series One is now live Posted on 13 Jun
Scania, Viking showcase renewable diesel
Mack Attack shows outstanding efficiency without compromise in performance of Scania V8 Engines Scania, one of the world's leading manufacturers of engines, announced today the successful demonstration of the performance and viability of renewable marine diesel fuel in a Viking 48 Convertible powered by twin Scania 1,150 HP DI16-liter V8 engines. Posted on 10 Jun
Sportfishing industry applauds decision by NOAA
Elimination of proposed South Atlantic bottomfishing closure The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries withdrew the proposed bottomfishing closure from Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. Posted on 10 Jun
Marine Auctions: June online auctions
Bidding to open on Friday 20th June The Bidding for the June Online Auction will commence on Thursday 20th June and will end on Thursday 26th June at 2pm AEST. Posted on 7 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo S Series