It’s been called one of the most grueling tests of seamanship on the planet, and for good reason. The Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge pushes skippers to their mental, physical, and emotional limits as they cross approximately 1240 nautical miles of open ocean—alone. With no crew, no backup, and no margin for error, it’s an extraordinary human test as much as it is a sailing race.
Now gearing up for its 15th edition, the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge will start on 30 May from the Opua, Bay of Islands (a change from the traditional New Plymouth departure point.) Organised in partnership with Southport Yacht Club on Queensland’s Gold Coast, the race is held every four years and is the second-oldest continuously-run solo ocean race in the world. Uniquely, it remains the only race of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sailing across the Tasman in a small boat might sound romantic, but for the skippers involved, it’s anything but. Competitors spend upwards of ten days at sea facing unpredictable weather, large seas, gear failures, shipping traffic, and the mental strain of isolation. There’s also the constant risk of collision—whether it’s with another vessel or, as in 1986 when New Plymouth’s Graeme Francis struck a whale, something altogether more alive and unexpected.
The race features three divisions: Adventure Monohull, Adventure Multihull, and IRC. While each skipper races their own race, line honours remain a coveted prize, with the prestigious Sir Francis Chichester Trophy awarded to the first yacht across the finish line.
A proud history
The race was born from a bold idea at the New Plymouth Yacht Club in the late 1960s. Members Howard Vosper, Dennis Lobb, and Phillip Goodsell floated the idea of a solo Trans-Tasman challenge—at a time when only one such race existed worldwide, the OSTAR (Observer Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race). Inspired and encouraged by legendary solo sailor Sir Francis Chichester, who lent his name and endorsement to the concept, the club pushed ahead. The inaugural race was held in 1970 with just five starters—three from New Zealand, one from Australia, and one from the USA.
Since then, the race has built a legacy defined by resilience, adventure, and unpredictability. Over the decades, sailors have faced cyclones, shipwrecks, dismastings, and medical emergencies. In 1974, veterinarian Ian McBride’s decision to self-administer antibiotics at sea for appendicitis likely saved his life. In 1978, Cyclone Hal battered the fleet, and in 1982 John Jury was forced to abandon Easterly One after being rolled and dismasted—only for the boat to wash ashore weeks later.
No lives have been lost, a remarkable statistic given the nature of the race.
Memorable moments
The fastest crossing to date was made in 2014 by Reini Gelder of Austria, who sailed his trimaran Shark Angels across the Tasman in just 6 days, 7 hours, and 13 minutes—averaging more than 8 knots. The multihull was a sister ship to Bullfrog Sunblock, which Ian Johnston had raced to a then-record time in 1986.
Other standout performances include Pat Costello’s commanding win in Chubasco in 1978 and Alby Burgin’s determined effort in 1990 aboard Alstar, crossing in just under 8 days at the age of 74. Some victories have been runaway affairs; others were won by hours or even minutes. In 1982, Jon Sayer’s slim 88-minute win showed just how tight things can get after more than 11 days alone at sea.
The route and the risks
Departing Opua (previously New Plymouth), skippers head northwest across the Tasman Sea, one of the more temperamental stretches of ocean in the world. Once clear of Taranaki’s coastline, it’s open water—no ports of refuge, no help at hand. The race track passes near the treacherous reefs of Elizabeth and Middleton and sometimes close to Lord Howe Island. Those reefs have claimed boats in the past—most famously Josephine in 1978 and Easterly One in 1982.
Weather is always a major factor. The Tasman in April can dish up anything from frustrating calm to full-blown gales. Skippers must be completely self-reliant—navigating, repairing gear, rationing food, and finding snatches of sleep in between sail changes and watchkeeping.
There’s no outside assistance allowed, and competitors often battle not just the elements, but hallucinations, fatigue, and sensory deprivation. Success depends as much on seamanship as it does on mental stamina.
Recent years
In 2023 (Covid delayed the start by a year), six boats completed the race from nine entries, with Malcolm Dickson aboard Sarau taking line honours. Jim O’Keeffe’s Hullabaloo followed close behind, and Australia’s Mark Hipgrave claimed IRC honours with Mister Lucky.
The 2018 edition had six finishers out of 12 entries, with Hamish Dickson’s Zenith the fastest boat. Notably, all 13 starters in 2014 made it across the finish line—a rare and admirable feat in such a demanding event.
Each edition brings a mix of seasoned offshore sailors and first-timers looking to test themselves in a way few races allow. Some finish elated; others retire with broken gear or broken spirits. But all walk away with a story.
Looking ahead to 2026
The 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge promises another chapter in one of ocean racing’s most authentic tests. As always, the entry list will likely include a blend of nationalities, vessel types, and sailing backgrounds. Three classes will be catered for: Adventure Monohull, Adventure Multihull, and IRC. A change too in the handicap system used; it is now PHRF rather than IHC.
Whether they’re seasoned circumnavigators or ambitious adventurers, each skipper will leave New Plymouth with the same goal: cross the Tasman alone, safely, and as quickly as possible.
For some, it will be the achievement of a lifetime. For others, perhaps just one step in a much larger personal sailing journey.
What remains constant is the spirit of the event—one that honours endurance, courage, and self-reliance on one of the world’s great oceans.
More information, including Notice of Race, entry requirements and race updates can be found at The Solo-Tasman race website. Applications are now open.
Boating New Zealand will continue to follow the build-up to the 2026 race and profile selected entrants ahead of the start in April.
Information for this article found on The Solo-Tasman race website.
