Solo-Trans Tasman: Competitor scales down distress alert.
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 31 May 04:33 PDT
Robbery - YB Tracker - Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge - 0000hrs June 1, 2026 © YB Tracker
A competitor in the Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge, who earlier activated his EPIRB, after withdrawing from the race has advised race organisers that he has the water ingress under control.
Race officials say that Maritime RRCNZ will continue to monitor the yacht's progress and will coordinate any required assistance.
Earlier event organisers advised:
The Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge can confirm that competitor Graeme Francis has activated his EPIRB and a rescue operation is now being coordinated by Maritime NZ’s the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ).
At this stage, Graeme remains aboard Robbery and is actively pumping water from the yacht. However, water continues to enter the vessel and Graeme is uncertain how long he will be able to remain aboard before potentially needing to abandon ship.
RCCNZ is coordinating with several rescue assets
The Whangarei rescue helicopter is on standby for a possible take-off in the morning. Our thoughts are with Graeme as he works through this challenging situation. We thank RCCNZ, the crews of the assisting vessels, and everyone involved in the response.
Earlier in the date the race organisers confirmed that one of the 13 competitors, Graeme Francis has withdrawn from the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge.
"At this stage, race management is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular communication with the appropriate parties."
At that point, Robbery a Wilson 36 (11mtrs) was returning to New Zealand, and at 2300hrs was 30nm off the top of the North Island and making 6.5kts, and appeared to be on a safe course, with plenty of sea room off a potential lee shore.
From the Yellow Brick tracker, the issue was first noticed around 1100hrs on Sunday morning, Robbery reached north, before returning to New Zealand.
An experienced sailor, Graeme Francis (69yrs) is from the New Plymouth Yacht Club with over 19,000 offshore miles and another 2,000 coastal miles to his credit.
He has extensive short-handed and solo experience.
Winds at a recording station at Cape Reinga (elevation of 214metres) was reporting an average wind speed of 30kts, gusting 40kts from the NE. Winds are expected to ease through the night.
The prestart forecast was for the fleet to encounter a front with strong NE winds on Monday, and it would seem that Robbery has passed through this zone.
The race continues to be led by Oceans Tribute, skippered by Guy Chester (AUS). The Lock Crowther trimaran is one of several competitors who have taken a more southerly course, presumably to avoid the strong NE winds forecast for Monday.
Second on the water and first monohull would appear to be the Open 40 Vixen Racing sailed by Sharon Ferris-Choat, which has also headed south. Earlier in the day her Predictwind DataHub showed she had experienced 50kt winds, gusting to 60kts for a brief period.
YB Tracking: pro.yb.tl/solott26