The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is now accepting entries for the 2021 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, which will start on Saturday 31 July.

After the cancellation of last year’s race due to COVID-19 restrictions, the CYCA and Race Partner Noakes Group are excited to see the return of this prestigious race.

The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast is regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ocean races and marks the start of the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore. It provides owners and crew with vital offshore racing experience in the lead-up to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The race will start in Sydney Harbour and follow a 384 nautical mile passage to finish just off Queensland’s Main Beach.

A Notice of Race is now available for all competitors, with entries open until 1700 hrs on 16 July 2021.

CYCA Commodore, Noel Cornish AM, expects a good turnout for this year’s race.

“After the unfortunate cancellations in 2020, we are looking forward to seeing a strong fleet out racing for the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race,” Cornish says.

“This race traditionally attracts some of Australia’s best-known ocean racing yachts and this year will be no different.

“We’re thankful for the support of our Race Partner, Noakes Group, and Southport Yacht Club, with whom we have built a strong relationship over the years.

“We have a contingency plan in place in the event of a border closure between NSW and Queensland due to COVID-19, so I encourage all competitors to read through the Notice of Race.”

Barry Cuneo’s TP52 Envy Scooters scooped the IRC overall top spot in the 2019 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast, with CYCA Life Member Matt Allen’s Botin 52 Ichi Ban and CYCA Director Dr Sam Haynes’ TP52 Celestial also on the podium.

The Oatley Family’s Reichel Pugh 66 Wild Oats X claimed line honours for a third time.

Visit the official Noakes Sydney Gold Coast website for more information on the race history and to keep up to date with the latest list of competitors.

by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia