Big breeze, bigger decisions and a broad mix of boats shaped a tactical thriller along Australia’s east coast — with TP52 Koa taking the double in style
The 2025 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race, a precursor perhaps to the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race held later in the year, served up a masterclass in offshore decision-making, with crews facing rain squalls across the 226-nautical mile course. At the head of the fleet, Koa, the TP52 co-skippered by Andy Kearnan and Mark Griffith, executed an impeccable offshore strategy to claim line honours and sweep IRC Division 1, IRC Overall, and the coveted Perpetual Trophy for overall victory.
The race, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC), saw 32 yachts depart the Barrenjoey Headland this past Friday (11th April) in 10-knot nor’easterlies. The forecast called for tactical finesse and endurance—and that’s exactly what the race delivered.
“We had a spectacular start in a 10-knot north-easterly breeze on quite a big outrunning tide out of the Hawkesbury,” said Race Director Nick Elliott. “Everyone was well behaved and on it. It was pretty even off the start.”
Pretty Woman, Koa and Anarchy (a frequent entrant in various New Zealand races including the Round Kawau, the Balokovic Cup, the Bean Rock race, the Round White Island race, the SSANZ Two-Handed Round North Island Race, and the PIC Coastal Classic) led off the line, with most of the fleet holding starboard tack toward Box Head to avoid the outgoing tide. By mid-afternoon, Koa, Antipodes, Sticky and others had committed offshore, chasing the forecasted breeze expected to build from the east after midnight. Meanwhile, others hovered near the rhumbline. With a split fleet and light air early, the tactical gamble was clear—but which route would pay off was still anyone’s guess.
“It was honestly one of the most tactical races I’ve ever done,” said Kearnan. “From the get-go we made a big commitment to the offshore path, and it gave us the separation we needed.”
Koa’s crew crossed the line at 11:10pm on Saturday night, finishing in 1 day, 10 hours, 21 minutes and 46 seconds—not fast enough to beat multihull Rex’s 2022 race record of 17 hours and 3 minutes, but more than enough to secure the Bell Trophy for line honours.
Full results: honours across the fleet
While Koa stole the limelight, plenty of drama unfolded behind her. Here’s a breakdown of the key performances across divisions:
monohull division 1
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Koa – Andy Kearnan & Mark Griffith (CYCA/RPAYC): 1st Line Honours (Bell Trophy), 1st IRC Division 1, 1st IRC Overall, Perpetual Trophy
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XS Moment – Ray Hudson (RPAYC): 1st PHS Div 1, 2nd ORC Overall, 2nd ORC Div 1, 2nd PHS Overall, 3rd IRC Overall, 3rd IRC Div 1
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Pretty Woman – Richard Hudson (RPAYC): 2nd IRC Overall, 2nd IRC Div 1, 2nd PHS Div 1, 3rd ORC Overall & 1st ORC Div 1
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Anarchy – Grant Pocklington (RMYC): 3rd ORC Overall, 3rd ORC Div 1, 3rd PHS Div 1
Monohull Division 2 and Two-Handed
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Toucan – Edward Curry-Hyde & Lincoln Dews (RPAYC): 1st IRC Division 2, 1st IRC Two Handed, 2nd ORC Division 2, 2nd ORC Two Handed, 3rd PHS Overall, 2nd PHS Division 2, 2nd PHS Two Handed
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Q – Ian Gilkes (LMYC): 1st PHS Overall, 1st PHS Div 2, 1st PHS Two Handed
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Veloce – Gary Essex & Peter Wesley (RPAYC): 1st ORC Div 2, 1st ORC Two Handed
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Verite – Paul Beath & Theresa Michell (NCYC): 2nd IRC Two Handed, 3rd IRC Div 2
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Blue Planet – Chris O’Neill (CYCA): 3rd IRC Two Handed
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Toucan – Edward Curry-Hyde & Lincoln Dews: 2nd PHS Div 2, 2nd PHS Two Handed, 2nd ORC Div 2, 2nd ORC Two Handed
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Western Morning – Mark Ayto & Anto Sweetapple (CYCA): 3rd PHS Two Handed
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Georgia Express – Sebastian Hultin (CYCA): 3rd PHS Div 2, 3rd ORC Div 2
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Highway Patrol – Michael Blaxell (CYCA): 2nd IRC Div 2
Multihull division
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Slingshot – Dara Johnston (Whitsunday SC): 1st Multihull Line Honours
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Wind Cheetah – Darren Drew (RPAYC): 1st OMR Multihull
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J’Ouvert – Stephen Barton (RPAYC): 1st PHS Multihull
Tactics, tributes and takeaways
This year’s conditions were less brutal than 2024’s light-air lottery, but still packed challenges: squalls, sudden glass-outs, and strong transitions that rewarded smart routing. Some opted for coastal hugging, like Pretty Woman, who sailed just 250 nautical miles and relied on experience and sail changes to remain in contention.
“We stayed close in because I believe in the shortest course,” said Richard Hudson. “We didn’t stop moving—and that was key.”
In contrast, others like Slingshot and Antipodes took deeper offshore digs, betting on steady pressure. Meanwhile, the two-handed fleet continued to showcase its growing calibre, with tight racing right down to the wire.
Not to be overlooked was the Navigator’s Prize, awarded to Mark Hewitt-Park on Koa for the closest estimated finish time—within 33 minutes of their actual time, over a race that lasted 34 hours.
From contenders to cruisers: A celebration of all sailors
The stories behind the results are where the real colour lies: from Wind Cheetah’s quiet dominance ahead of a Sydney to Auckland campaign, to First Light’s all-women crew training toward the Global Solo Challenge, to Stampede’s nostalgic camaraderie with their Lake Macquarie neighbours.
There were six retirements—Avalanche, Inner Circle, Stampede, Popeye, Summer Salt, and Wots Next—but as always, finishing was only part of the challenge. For many, it was about the experience, the learning, and the journey.
“It was beautiful, frustrating, painful and amazing,” said Darren Drew of Wind Cheetah. “A classic race in every sense.”
A classic reborn—again
With another chapter written, the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race continues to punch well above its weight. While it might not attract the international headlines of Boxing Day’s Sydney to Hobart, this East Coast gem remains one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most open, inclusive and tactical offshore events.
And for 2025, it was Koa who proved that skill, strategy and commitment still rule the waves.
