Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Sailing

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2023 - make for the corner

by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club 11 Oct 2023 09:45 PDT 11 October 2023
The crew of Frantic - Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2023 © RPAYC Media

Four of the five competitors elected to go the Southern side of the Rhumb Line in the dash to the top of New Zealand. By and large, you'd have to say it paid.

Painkiller, the Bavaria 51 from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron was the one exception, but they may have been on a slightly different mission, namely fishing, so that could well explain that.

The crews report that those affected have got past the early seasickness, and are now charging hard. Frantic would be the one to have done the most in that regard, and is all over the significantly larger Antipodes. The two vessels representing the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia are virtually neck and neck, with the early TP52 holding on to the slenderest of leads for now, and just at that.

As expected, the wind abated somewhat and went into a Southerly to Sou'sou'westerly trend and something in the order of 8-15 knots, accompanied by a Sou'westery swell of some 3m or so. This will be advantageous to drive the boats back up to the Rhumb Line and their turning mark atop New Zealand (just look out for the Manawatawhi/Three Kings Islands), before they make down the East coast of the North Island and into home at Auckland, which for the leaders could well be later tomorrow.

The transitions have been interesting, with some crews reporting nearly no breeze as the stiff Sou'easterly gave way to the slightly warmer winds under the high pressure. Another shift is expected tomorrow that sees the wind clock even further right to the West and even Nor'west, and abate to light conditions overall, under dry but cloudy skies.

On Friday the winds are expected to strengthen once more for that predominantly Nor'west direction, before clocking back left to the Sou'west under a new line of low pressure. You would think Intiy from the host club, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club will be best placed to capitalise on this. The Two-Handed crew have some ground to get back off the full crewed Mayfair from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron that is around 242nm ahead of them. They have done just over 200nm in the last 24 hours, so that is commendable for short-handed and a 36-footer at that.

Painkiller is some 488nm astern of the leader, and 161nm behind Intiy, so they would be wanting to use that Nor'wester to really drive them down to the turning mark.

Apart from watchkeeping, life on board always comes back to food. Sandwiches, coffee are mainstays. Mayfair's Navigator Steve Taylor said, "Highlight so far has been the food, dinner and breakfast absolutely delicious. Reaching along in 16-18 knots, and also just found the stash of chocolate croissants so don't worry about us!"

Painkiller went gourmet with Spaghetti Bolognese and salad to accompany a relaxed and comfortable ride under reefed main and jib, and added to the comedy by noting, "We do feel some sympathy for our fellow competitors who would have experienced a challenging night, constantly tweaking and re-adjusting sails as we were snug in our bunks," said Scott Alle.

RPAYC Commodore Rob McClelland said, "What a great race. They have had something from just about all of the true, blue water manual - blast reaching, becalmed (or nearly so), huge shifts, and fresh to conditions to downright cold. Hard charging in the cold and wet gave way to sail changes to cope with the transitions, and then good rolling swells helped to push them all along."

"Our partners at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club look set to see the leaders very soon. For those further back in the fleet it looks some more changes in conditions are about to beset you, so it is great you have had plenty of practice at it now as to be totally ready."

The welcome team on the dock comprises, Race Director Nick Elliott, Commodore of the RAYC Nick Hanson, and RPAYC members, Rear Commodore Robert Alpe, Rear Commodore Kirsty Hunter, and Mary-Anne Guerin.

After clearance by Customs the crews will receive Steinlager beer, a new, and very special, 'I conquered the Tasman' T-Shirt to mark the occasion, as well as the obligatory and eagerly awaited hot shower. The winner under IRC will also receive the Sir Lipton Cup Perpetual Trophy.

View the live tracker here

Related Articles

Pittwater Sail Expo 2025 set for October
From racing to cruising, Australia's biggest sailing showcase The Pittwater Sail Expo 2025 will take place from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC), Newport, and promises to be the biggest sailing only showcase in the country. Posted on 11 Sep
Lucky joins Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race fleet
With a slew of line honours, overall wins and race records to her name A new international player has emerged as a threat in October's Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race (S2A) sponsored by Harken, as US yachtsman Bryon Ehrhart has entered his Juan Kouyoumdjian 88 designed Lucky. Posted on 11 Sep
Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 at Pittwater Sailing Expo
For sailors who demand speed, excitement, and results Performance Boating Sales is proud to announce that the race winning Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 will be on display at the upcoming Pittwater Sailing Expo. Posted on 1 Sep
Pittwater Sail Expo 2025 Preview
The showcase will feature over 35 yachts from 23 leading international and Australian brands Australia's largest sailing boat show, the Pittwater Sail Expo 2025, will take place from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC), Newport. Posted on 27 Aug
Cooloola crew latest to be lured by S2A Race
A well-travelled Englishman, who these days calls Australia home, is among the entries A well-travelled Englishman, who these days calls Australia home, is among the entries in the 1250 nautical mile Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race (S2A) sponsored by Harken, which starts on 11 October on Sydney Harbour at 1pm. Posted on 21 Aug
The Long Laser Lunch – a reunion to remember
Sailors from every state reunited over lunch like it was just another regatta weekend. Last month 93 Laser sailors from across the country gathered at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for what became a truly unforgettable reunion. Posted on 11 Jul
Wild Thing eyeing Sydney to Auckland record
The new mast to suit the 100 footer was stepped in May Grant Wharington is getting Wild Thing 100 revved up - the new mast to suit the 100 footer was stepped and new sails by Kiwi, Rodney Keenan, added in May - so the timing is right to have a crack at the record in the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race. Posted on 4 Jun
The call of the mighty
See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action, braving the elements, and glory for the victorious. As an Australian, you have King Louie (the late Lou Abrahams), and the late Sir Jim Hardy as the poster boys. Posted on 1 Jun
First Kiwi entry for Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race
The first New Zealand entry accepted for the challenging 1250 nautical mile race RPAYC takes pleasure in announcing Harken Australia and New Zealand as naming rights sponsor for the Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race and that the first New Zealand entry has been accepted for the challenging 1250 nautical mile race across the Tasman Sea. Posted on 29 May
Int'l Youth Match Racing Champs dates released
RPAYC announce the dates for the 2025 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship RPAYC is pleased to announce the dates for the 2025 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship, with the 31st edition set to again be conducted on the beautiful waters of Pittwater, scheduled to occur 19 to 23 November 2025. Posted on 21 May
McDYachts_Pyewacket-for-Sale_1456x180 BOTTOMSea Sure 2025Rooster 2025