Entries flow in for Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 20 Apr 22:02 PDT
25 July 2026
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) has received an impressive 11 entries for its season opener since registrations commenced on 16 April.
The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race is a 384 nautical mile winter classic, and the first race in the 2026/27 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore (ACSBWPS).
Early entries for the 38th edition include that of defending Overall champion Sebastian Bohm, owner of JV TP52 Smuggler. In a recent interview with CYCA Media, Bohm said his crew would be back "better, faster and hungrier" for 2026, determined to defend the top spot.
The crew on board the Sydney 38 Clockwork, with its striking orange wheel, will sail to Sydney from South Australia to kick off their 2026/27 campaign. Owned by Mary-Ann Harvey and Andrew Lloyd, Clockwork was the first entry in this year's race.
It was no surprise to see Ian Creak's Beneteau 47.7 GWM Pennant Hills in early too. Creak has sailed more than 30 Noakes Sydney Gold Coasts. In an interview last year with CYCA Media, Creak explained what keeps him coming back, year in, year out.
"Let's face it, when you leave Sydney Heads it's like getting on an aeroplane," Creak said. "You don't want to turn right, you want to turn left, you want to go to first class. And we say that going to Southport is the first class run. The further up you go, the warmer it is."
Last year GWM Pennant Hills topped the Corinthian IRC division and placed second to the JPK 11.80 Bacchanal in IRC Division 2.
Much-loved Corinthian entry IC 45 MOD Pretty Woman is back as well. Richard Hudson is known for his support of a mixed crew of men and women of all ages, and will have his sights set on maintaining a lead over his competitors, that include GWM Pennant Hills, for top spot in IRC Corinthian.
Sean Langman's Reichel Pugh GP42 Back 2 Black had a busy 2025, competing in the Admiral's Cup in the UK — including the Rolex Fastnet Race — before taking on the Rolex Sydney Hobart. The campaign continues in 2026, with the yacht set to contest the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast. Langman is also Managing Director of Noakes Group, the proud naming rights partner of the race.
Entries close at 1700 hours on 10 July 2026. Enter here.
Entries so far:
- Antipodes
- Back 2 Black
- Clockwork
- GWM Pennant Hills
- KOA
- Pretty Woman
- Ragtime
- Smuggler
- Sticky
- Troubadour
- Vixen Racing