Entries are now open for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s 2019 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, with the newly-released Notice of Race (NOR) encouraging sailors from around the country to join the 34th running of the ‘Great Winter Escape’.
Each year the 384-nautical-mile northern escapade marks the start of the Blue Water Pointscore Series, and enjoys great participation from both local competitors and interstate rivals.
The CYCA are looking forward to welcoming between 60 and 70 yachts to the starting line. Some of the country’s 100 foot grand-prix super maxis are expected to return to mix it in a ‘David and Goliath’ battle with many of the smaller yachts such as 2018 Overall Winner, Bruce Taylor’s Chutzpah and Blue Water Pointscore Series Winner Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban.
“The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race is a great opener to the ocean racing season,” says CYCA Sailing Manager Justine Kirkjian. “With many yachts having time off after the Rolex Sydney Hobart, this will be the first time they all match up to see how any modifications have changed their performance and how they stack up against the competition.
“It is a race which is open to be won by yachts of any size and experience. At this time of year, the North Coast of New South Wales can experience a vast array of weather conditions which proves a challenge for all navigators.”
This year’s race will once again see the spectators brought up close to all the action. A live stream of the race start will combine with both on-water and aerial cameras broadcast to the official race website and social media outlets.
The Yacht Tracker will allow spectators to follow every yacht, giving viewers a personal connection to the crews 24 hours a day until they reach the finish line off Main Beach at Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The Notice of Race and online entry are now available through the ‘For Competitors’ tab on the official website.
Entries close 1700 hours 5 July 2019.
