Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M75

2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race gathers steam

by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 11 Jun 06:19 UTC 26 July 2025
The start of the 2023 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race © Andrea Francolini

The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race has received over 50 registrations, for the CYCA's event that starts on Saturday 26 July.

The CYCA predict a big turn-out for the first race in the 2025/26 Audi Centre Bluewater Pointscore, in the lead up to the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the CYCA's inaugural Trans-Tasman Yacht Race.

Interstate and international competitors

Of the 52 entries (so far), 3 are internationals, 41 are from New South Wales, 4 from Queensland, 2 from South Australia and 1 from both West Australia and Victoria.

The three international competitors are Geoffrey Hill's Santa Cruz 72 Antipodes (Hong Kong), Ronald Epstein's JPK 11.80 Bacchanal (USA) and Brian Petersen's TP52 V5 (New Zealand).

Brian Petersen, V5's owner and skipper, is back after a 20-year hiatus from the event. Although he has owned the yacht for five years, Petersen has not yet sailed it in an offshore race.

"Due to storms and various other issues, we haven't been able to do an offshore race out of New Zealand on V5 and there's no major races out of New Zealand at the moment," Petersen said "So I thought, 'Well bugger it — we'll just make up our own program'."

With a crew made up of Kiwi and Australian sailors, V5 is set for a packed racing schedule in 2025. Other races in their 2025 program include the New Caledonia Groupama Race which starts on 15 June, followed by the GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race in early August, the RPAYC's Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race in October and, potentially, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in December.

Petersen has his fingers and toes crossed for the Rolex Sydney Hobart.

"If we've still got some money left and not too many of us have got divorced or whatever, we'll come back over and have a crack at the Hobart."

Double Handed Competitors

To date, nine Double Handed yachts are registered for the 384 nautical mile race, including Andrew Butler's J/122e Rumchaser.

Despite a wobbly start in the 2024 Sydney Hobart due to a spinnaker wipe out, Butler and his co-skipper Peter Just, went on to claim second on PHS in the Double Handed Division.

"That was really encouraging after all that effort to get a result," Butler said. "Pete and I are really keen to try and perform a bit better and to be more consistent in this race.

"We know the boat's capable, but I think the lessons learnt from Hobart is to keep the boat moving and not get too overexcited by trying to push too hard and make a mistake."

Women skippers

Four women skippers have currently entered the race: Awen's Sharon Ferris-Choat, Mako's Emily Sellens, Mondo's Lisa Callaghan and Supernova's Felicity Nelson.

CYCA's Season Opener

For the first time, the start of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race will also mark the CYCA's inaugural Season Opener — a new event designed to launch the offshore sailing season in style.

Open to Members, guests and all sailing and sports enthusiasts, the day features a spectator boat experience aboard Eclipse with live race commentary by around the world sailor Jack Macartney, followed by an afterparty back at the Club with live music, food activations and a vibrant atmosphere to celebrate the start of the season.

Ticket information can be found here.

For more information visit goldcoast.cycaracing.com.

Related Articles

Bayliss Boatworks new construction updates
The team is making solid headway on Mama Seata Tarheel is shaping up beautifully, with our exterior carpentry team recently installing the teak coaming and coverboards in the cockpit. Posted on 3 Jul
A new chapter begins
Two new flagship models for the Open & Heritage Series Introducing the all-new Heritage 321 — the ultimate family center console and the new flagship of the Heritage Series. Posted on 2 Jul
Marine Auctions: Special July Online Auction
The bidding will end on Tuesday 22 July at 2pm AEST The alternative way of selling any type of vessel or marine asset with proven and successful results. Posted on 2 Jul
One thing. One big, very fast boat
One thing that opened the door, another made us enquire some more - 50 knots! Yes. It was one thing that opened the door, as it were. One thing that piqued the curiosity enough to go, ‘I'll take a look at that!' One thing that when you're trying to crack in excess of 50 knots... Posted on 30 Jun
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 on 26 Jun
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
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo S Series