The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is pleased to announce the release of the Notice of Race and opening of entries for the rescheduled 2020 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race.

The 384-nautical-mile coastal race was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now start on 3 October being the second race of the 2020-21 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore.

“The Club is very excited to be able to undertake this year’s Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. It will be a great way to re-invigorate the offshore sailing community in Australia as it is such a big part of the yearly calendar,” CYCA Commodore Paul Billingham said.

“Our thoughts do go out to all who have been affected by coronavirus. We thank the continuing support of the frontline workers, including the medical staff across NSW and around the country, who have been tirelessly working to contain and overcome the pandemic.”

Noakes Group, a longstanding supporter of the Club and sailing community, are once again the naming rights partner for this year’s race. Sean Langman, Managing Director of Noakes Group, is excited to undertake the race after a tight finish where he took out second place on line honours in 2019.

“As the major sponsor, Noakes Group is really pleased that the CYCA is still able to conduct the race this year, following the disruption to the sailing calendar. Postponing the race to October means that this will be a key lead-up event prior to the Rolex Sydney Hobart for competitors,” Langman said.

“Personally this race is my favourite of the blue-water circuit and I’m really looking forward to getting back out on the water.”

This year’s entries are anticipated to be as competitive as ever with many of the grand-prix TP52s expected to return with some newcomers lining up to join the battle. Last year’s overall winner, Barry Cuneo’s Envy Scooters and two-time Rolex Sydney Hobart overall winner, Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban, will likely be favourites after the near race-long neck-and-neck duel in 2019.

The Notice of Race and online entry is now available under the ‘For Competitors‘ tab on the official website. Entries close at 1700 hours 21 September 2020.

by Hamish Hardy, CYCA