Please select your home edition
Edition
sMRT AIS Man Overboard Beacons AUS / NZ

Battles raging in Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 28 Jul 2019 15:17 AEST 27 July 2019
Wild Oats X appears likely to take line honours in the 2019 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race - but many battles are still unfolding © Andrea Francolini

Contrary to the pre-forecast for light winds, the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race fleet is making excellent time up the NSW coast and the Oatley family's race leader, Wild Oats X, is due to finish the 35th edition of the bluewater classic before midnight tonight, July 28, 2019.

Wild Oats X's navigator Adrienne Calahan reported at 0815hrs on Sunday: "We have just passed Smoky Cape on a beautiful clear-sky morning, however not much time to contemplate the view as we are in a battle with No Limit and Chinese Whisper who are on our tail enjoying the reaching conditions."

Shifting southerly winds overnight kept crews busy, skipper of the current IRC front-runner Envy Scooters, Barry Cuneo, reporting very little sleep since the start on Sydney Harbour at 1pm Saturday, as the Queensland TP52 battles to stay ahead of the strong 52 pack on IRC handicap. "We are amazed but very happy to be right amongst the 60 footers and well in front of the TP52 fleet," the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron's latest Commodore said.

Sailing master on David Gotze's RP63 No Limit, Dave Allen, says the crew of 17 are in a rhythm of three watches of 3hrs on, 3hrs on standby and 3hrs off. The Sydney boat is currently running second, a few miles behind Wild Oats and in 17kts of southerly pressure when Allen shared an update: "Oats is dead ahead. Barney (Ian Walker) reckons we are running them down. We got within half a mile last night, we gave them a tickle."

Running northwards last evening, No Limit enjoyed the company of dolphins lit up by phosphorescence.

Race sponsor Sean Langman, the head of Noakes Group, and his RP65 Naval Group lost some ground when they missed a shift at 0300hrs this morning, though navigator Josh Alexander reports "morale remains high as we charge along to catch up".

While the 60-footers and the TPs chew threw the miles remaining between them and the Gold Coast's Main Beach finish line, the smaller and heavier boats that don't plane in running and reaching breezes are settled in for a very pleasant day two.

Onboard Phillip Neil's beautiful Hoek 78 Oroton Drumfire, named after a long-distance race horse, crewman Lachie Paramour shared some humour from first night at sea: "We started by watching the All Blacks vs Springboks rugby on satellite TV (of course) before a lamb ragu dinner. The on-watch did a good job of keeping the boat rumbling and picking up a few places before the half-time change over. We had a small wave splash over the bow about two hours ago and the crew are highly concerned that this may happen again, and that we may run the risk of someone getting their feet wet."

Supernova has been forced to retire, succumbing to a broken rudder bearing at lunchtime on Sunday. All on board are ok, headed for Port Macquarie.

goldcoast.cyca.com.au

Related Articles

Smuggler puts down hammer and goes unchallenged
In the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race The reigning Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Champion, Smuggler, set a clear goal to open her offshore season with strength and continue her streak of top performances. She delivered on that promise, outpacing the competition and never looking back. Posted on 29 Jul
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race start
The weather gods promised and delivered The start gun for the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race fired at 1300hrs sharp, sending the fleet off in stunning conditions. Posted on 26 Jul
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race Preview
This year's edition is looking to break the light wind pattern and possibly set new records The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race (NSGCYR) has long been regarded as a cornerstone of any Australian offshore yachtie's calendar. Posted on 25 Jul
Newcastle fleet gears up for Sydney to GC Race
One of the most important events on Australia's ocean racing calendar Seven vessels representing Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC) will compete in the prestigious Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race this Saturday, 26 July, marking a significant milestone for the Club and its offshore racing cohort. Posted on 22 Jul
J/99s the in Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
There will be a race within a race taking place in the 63 yacht fleet When the fleet of 63 yachts set off in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast (NSGCYR) on 26 July, there will be a race within a race taking place. Posted on 18 Jul
Meet the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Commentary Team
Olympian Lisa Darmanin and Rolex Sydney Hobart Winner Jack Macartney to lead live broadcast The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is pleased to confirm Olympian Darmanin and 2022 & 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart winner Macartney as the lead commentators for the live broadcast of the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. Posted on 16 Jul
Noakes Sydney GC Yacht Race: Don't stop me now
Corinthian sailor Elizabeth Tucker takes on the world Elizabeth Tucker had barely stepped on board a yacht before 2021. Fast forward four years to 2025 and the English-born, Sydney-based sailor has sailed her Class40 yacht, First Light, from Spain to Australia. Posted on 9 Jul
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race gathers steam
Over 50 registrations for the CYCA's event that starts on Saturday 26 July The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race has received over 50 registrations, for the CYCA's event that starts on Saturday 26 July. Posted on 11 Jun
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race Entries Open
The 384-nautical-mile race serves as the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore season opener The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) and race sponsor, Noakes Group, are pleased to announce that entries are now open for the 37th running of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. Posted on 22 Apr
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race overall
Twin brothers Louis and Marc Ryckmans' Voltstar Yeah Baby is the Overall Winner Twin brothers Louis and Marc Ryckmans' Voltstar Yeah Baby is the Overall Winner of the Peter Rysdyk Memorial Trophy for the 2024 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. URM Group has claimed Line Honours. Posted on 30 Jul 2024
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERSea Sure 2025