Please select your home edition
Edition
Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025

Aurora carries Wild Oats XI with hopes of TransPac success

by Jeni Bone on 9 May 2015
Wild Oats XI -2010 Rolex/Daniel Forster http://www.regattanews.com
Aurora Yacht Logistics, in partnership with Peters & May, has been charged with the full logistics handling for the transport of champion supermaxi, Wild Oats XI, which is on its way to the bluewater yacht race known as TransPac.

The unrivalled Sydney Hobart champion with eight wins under her substantial belt, Wild Oats XI is the most successful yacht in the event’s 70-year history.

Owner, Bob Oatley AO is positive his favourite venture will perform true to form in the iconic TransPacific Yacht Race, a 2,225 nautical mile race between Los Angeles and Honolulu, Hawaii, which starts 13 July.

But first she has to get there.

Leaving from Sydney Wednesday 16 May, Wild Oats XI will be carried by one of Aurora’s General Purpose vessels, adept at handling the specific requirements of “sensitive cargo”, which is how these race boats are classified.

“Over the past six months, we have been handling a lot more racing yachts, thanks to our partnership with Peters & May,” explains Jason Roberts, marketing director for Aurora. “We moved several supermaxis from the US and Asia to Australia before the 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, including the Hodgdon-built Comanche and on the return trip, Rio 100.”



While Aurora has the experience and expertise to carry boats from 30-feet to 200-feet, handling these precision racing yachts poses a raft of unique challenges.

“They have very delicate sail rigging and must be lashed correctly,” says Roberts. “There are unique insurance requirements and then there are the delivery parameters set by owners. Their boats have to arrive in plenty of time to prepare them and their crews ahead of such high profile events as the TransPac.”

“It’s a big task transporting a 30-metre long, high-tech racing yacht like Wild Oats XI, and it’s important she arrives in the US in pristine condition,” said Bob Oatley’s son, Sandy, who is chairman of the Oatley family company.



“So, when it came to organising the shipping of the yacht to America’s west coast it made sense to deal with specialists, and that’s why we went to Aurora Yacht Logistics.”

Roberts reports an increasing demand for racing yachts, momentum led by being the Australian agent for Peters & May, the largest global boat transport and marine logistics provider for race teams, superyacht manufacturers and private boat owners.

Established in 2001, Aurora Global Logistics is a privately owned Australian company based in Brisbane, Queensland. With a global network of agents, and over 10 years’ experience transporting and customs clearing everything from speed boats to superyachts, Aurora specialises in tailor made solutions, providing full turnkey services and advice in all facets of the job.

A veteran exhibitor at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Aurora will be prominent on Masthead Way at this year’s SCIBS, 21 to 24 May on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Sea Sure 2025Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTER

Related Articles

Transat Paprec Day 18
48 Hours to Glory By Friday, the outcome of the Transat Paprec will be known. But who will have the final say? Who will seize the advantage, who will get stuck, who will claim an honorable finish, and who will be left disappointed?
Posted on 7 May
iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games day 2
Heavy Rain Sets the Scene, But Racing Pushes On at Lake Garda Despite relentless rainfall, part of the day's race program went ahead as planned at the iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games, hosted by Circolo Surf Torbole.
Posted on 7 May
XR 41 Dominates Debut at MaiOR 2025
FORMULA X Takes First Place in ORC A&B The northern European offshore racing season launched in spectacular fashion at the Mai Offshore Regatta (MaiOR) from 2 to 4 May 2025, and the spotlight was firmly on X-Yachts' latest high- performance model - the XR 41.
Posted on 7 May
Smeg's 29 years of 18ft Skiff sponsorship success
It all began when a Trevor Barnabas-led team raced a skiff named Omega Smeg-2UE The Smeg Australia 18ft skiff sponsorship with the Australian 18 footers League began in 1996-97 and has continued harmoniously, with many great successes, over the following twenty nine seasons on Sydney Harbour.
Posted on 7 May
Canada Ocean Racing Acquires Foiling IMOCA
For Scott Shawyer's Vendée Globe Campaign Canada Ocean Racing is proud to announce the acquisition of a current generation foiling IMOCA 60 - formerly known as Groupe Dubreuil and originally 11th Hour Racing - Malama.
Posted on 7 May
Bulwarks and Bulldust – new Vodcast Show launches
Join us as we pan for the gold dust, whilst sifting out the bulldust. Bulwarks and Bulldust looks at the serious subjects from inside the world of boating, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. The show covers off everything from Off The Beach to Superyachts, Powerboats to Ocean Racing, and the marine industry itself
Posted on 6 May
iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games day 1
Unexpected breeze delivers a spectacular opening day of racing on Lake Garda The iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games are officially under way in Torbole, Lake Garda, marking the second major event of the 2025 season for the U19/U17/U15 athletes of the iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Class.
Posted on 6 May
Transat Paprec Day 17
"An Atlantic Crossing with the Intensity of La Solitaire" They've proven that persistence pays off—even when faced with serious setbacks. Lola Billy and Corentin Horeau had to make a pit stop in Lisbon during the first week of the race to replace a damaged rudder.
Posted on 6 May
Night sailing, Transat Paprec, Congressional Cup
Night sailing, encountering light airs in the Transat Paprec, Congressional Cup We bundled up as the last of the rays sunlight dipped below the Olympic Mountains and night quietly fell on Puget Sound. We'd been racing for about twelve hours in the Seattle Yacht Club's Protection Island Race (April 26), and we were getting tired.
Posted on 6 May
Triple amputee passes halfway point of challenge
Craid Wood is more determined than ever, despite troubles during Pacific crossing Despite experiencing a number of technical issues with his boat, Craig Wood is now halfway through his sail with well over 4000 nautical miles done. He is feeling positive about reaching the finish line at Osaka in Japan in just over a months' time.
Posted on 6 May