Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Moonen Yachts takes on naming rights for Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2021

by Di Pearson 3 Feb 2020 18:05 PST
Competitors have this to look forward to in Auckland - Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race © RNZYS

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) in Sydney and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) in Auckland take great pleasure in announcing Moonen Yachts as the naming rights sponsor of the inaugural Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2021.

Moonen Yachts is a Netherlands-based builder of luxury superyachts recently acquired by Australian owners, Matthew and Louise Baxter.

Welcoming the company as naming rights sponsor of the 1250 nautical mile race, Robert McClelland, Chairman of the RPAYC race organising committee said: "We are thrilled to be entering this partnership with Moonen Yachts. Their commitment to producing global voyaging vessels of the highest standard adds to the prestige and is a good fit for this new yacht race."

Commenting on their sponsorship, Matthew Baxter noted: "It's our goal to present Moonen Yachts to the world, to a larger audience. And of course, with Sydney Harbour in our backyard and our connection to New Zealand, we're proud to bring the brand to the South Pacific."

The Baxters first connected to the brand when they spotted a Moonen yacht in Pittwater, where the RPAYC is also based: "We were curious because she stood out. It was love at first sight," Louise Baxter commented.

"The brand is impeccable, no question, and the team is very talented," added Matthew. "They're all very passionate about what they are building."

Matthew and Louise Baxter live in Sydney and are no strangers to yachting. "I started sailing when I was eight," said Matthew, who heads AM Group, a global group of manufacturing companies he founded in 1972 - the same year the couple bought Barbarian, a Sparkman & Stephens design, which they still own. The pair subsequently purchased a Finnish Swan 60.

"We sailed all over the Pacific in that boat. I circumnavigated New Zealand and I've sailed to Noumea with Louise five times," he said.

Open to yachts, inclusive of a double-handed division, superyachts, multihulls (OMR rated) and incorporating a rally for cruisers, the Moonen Yachts Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race is less than a year out now and has already attracted serious interest from some high-profile yachts and crews and others who are keen to make their mark in the inaugural race.

Two-time Sydney Hobart winner and multiple top three-placegetter, Quest, a TP52 from NSW owned by Bob Steel and Craig Neil, is one of the early entries. Among the RPAYC entries for what is sure to become a popular addition to the offshore racing calendar are the modified IC45, Pretty Woman, co-owned by RPAYC Commodore Michael Lockley/Richard Hudson/Russell Murphy and Wings, a Dehler 46 owned by Ian Edwards.

"We are looking forward to the Sydney-Auckland Race in early 2021. We've built a great team over the last three years from people on crew registers and their friends," Edwards said. We enjoy sailing together and sail safe, enjoy the journey, always strive to meet the expectations of the racing rules. And yes, sail as fast as we can," he ended.

Timed to slot nicely between the 2020 Rolex Sydney Hobart in December, the 36th America's Cup (starting 6 March) and the 150th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS), the Category 1 race starts on 30 January, 2021, at 1pm on Sydney Harbour and finishes off the RNZYS.

For all information, including entry and Notice of Race, please visit www.sydneytoauckland.com.

Related Articles

Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais - Practice Day
Will Platoon Aviation's big breeze, big pressure experience prove key to their fourth world title? Of the three past and present world championship winning crews which completed their final practice today in typically muscular 25 knot breezes and big waves out of Cascais, Portugal it was Harm Müller-Spreer's Platoon Aviation which showed best today. Posted on 1 Jul
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago. Posted on 1 Jul
LA28 sailing venue decision driven by politicians
The LA28 Olympic "dinghy" events will be sailed alongside a working container port. The decision to stage the Los Angeles "dinghy" events alongside a working container port appears to have been a determination by local politicians. Posted on 1 Jul
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros day 3
The return of Super X Day 3 at the FPT Paros 2025 was a slower one - with a lay day with no wind anticipated and a late skippers meeting at 13:00 to assess the conditions, there wasn't much initially filling up the schedule. Posted on 1 Jul
Bill Guilfoyle on the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race
Bill Guilfoyle discusses the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race When it comes to offshore sailing in the United States, the biennial Transpacific Yacht Race reigns supreme for its distance and promise of off-the-breeze sailing angles. Posted on 1 Jul
McIntyre Mini Globe Leg 2 update
The Mad Bastard may be right! When the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race set off—the first solo, non-stop circumnavigation—many thought it impossible. But one sailor proved them wrong: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, sailing his beloved Suhaili! Posted on 1 Jul
Packing for a Summer Sailing Weekend
Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time, particularly when you're out on the water. The day may start windless, with a little dew on the ground, but a sea breeze can pick up in the afternoon. Posted on 1 Jul
Young Sailors Invited to the 2025 Fireball Worlds
A special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants for the event at Lake Garda Circolo Vela Arco and Fireball International are inviting young sailors from around the world to take part in the 2025 Fireball World Championship at spectacular Lake Garda, with a special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants. Posted on 1 Jul
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted on 1 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D1
Sunday's storm winds cleared to deliver ideal conditions for the opening race day Sunday's storm winds cleared to deliver ideal conditions for the opening race day of the 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy, official championship stages of the World Match Racing Tour and Women's World Match Racing Tour. Posted on 1 Jul
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangePredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOMV-DRY-X