RNZYS seeking Expressions of Interest for 2021 Auckland to Gold Coast Ocean Race

by Andrew Delves 10 Jul 04:23 PDT 30 May 2021*

Bird on the Wing © Ivor Wilkins

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is pleased to announce another offshore race has been added to its 2021 150th celebration calendar - the 2021 Auckland to Gold Coast Ocean Race.

The proposed start date is Sunday 30th May 2021* from the RNZYS in Auckland New Zealand, and finishing 1,270nm away at the Southport Yacht Club on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia.

The 2021 Auckland to Gold Coast Ocean Race will be a Category One ocean race and will provide a solid challenge for the fleet. Expressions of Interest are now being sought from a wide range of suitability qualified yachts and crews, from all yacht clubs both locally and internationally.

Rapido - photo © RNZYS

The RNZYS has timed the Auckland to Gold Coast Ocean Race deliberately to create the opportunity for entrants to also get involved in some of the popular events on the Australian sailing calendar, as RNZYS Vice Commodore Aaron Young explains;

"We think this event is a superb opportunity for sailors to race to Australia and then compete in some of their major events in Queensland such as the Brisbane to Hamilton Island Race, followed by the Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Magnetic Island Race Weeks."

"The 2021 Auckland to Gold Coast Ocean Race allows entrants to enjoy a potentially testing challenge across the Tasman before enjoying the warmer climates and taking part in some of these iconic Australian regattas."

Interest is already building among Squadron members after a recent announcement of the race at a special 150th calendar reveal for RNZYS Members, and the RNZYS has already received two promising expressions of interest.

The first EOI has been received from RNZYS General Committee Member Mike Malcolm who intends to enter his Beneteau First 50 Bird on the Wing.

"I see this race as a very exciting opportunity to compete in an offshore ocean race, which is made even more exciting by the prospect of taking part in Hamilton Island Race week - one of the most high profile events on the Australian sailing calendar."

"The options are endless at that time of year with plenty of other great events on offer, as well as enjoying a cruise around the Whitsundays."

The second EOI has been received by RNZYS Members Dougal and Jaz Love, owners of the 60ft Rapido Trimaran Romanza. This vessel is described as a performance cruiser and the couple are very much looking forward to being on the start line in late May 2021, as well as doing some cruising afterwards, as Dougal explains;

"We had planned to take off and go cruising after the America's Cup had finished up so this provides us with the perfect opportunity to do so. We are also very keen to take part in Hamilton Island Race week and the various other events in Australia at the time of year."

"As proud Squadron Members we are also thrilled to be involved in this race as part of RNZYS's 150th celebrations and look forward to being on the start-line of what is going to be a really fun race across the ditch."

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron - photo © Andrew Delves

The Southport Yacht Club was established in 1946 and is located in Southport on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia. SYC Commodore Ray McMahon says the club and its members are looking forward to being involved in this race and helping to celebrate the Squadrons sesquicentenary in 2021;

"I'm so excited to welcome the Auckland to Gold Coast Ocean Race to our calendar of events here at the Southport Yacht Club.

"To have an International event choose our club (and the Gold Coast) as their destination of choice says a lot about how our great club is seen Internationally. I can't wait to personally welcome every competitor as they arrive at the Southport Yacht Club in 2021"

If you would like to express your interest to enter the 2021 Auckland to Gold Coast Ocean Race, please fill out EOI form HERE or go to rnzys.org.nz/offshore-races