The Shorthanded Ocean Racing Association of Australia has opened Expressions of Interest for the Race Around Australia 2028, to be held forty years on from, and in the spirit of, the 1988 Bicentennial race.
The double-handed Race Around Australia will cover more than 7,000 nautical miles across five legs and four stopovers, incorporating two sprint stages and two pit stops.
Yachts will race through three oceans in what is the only event of its kind globally to circumnavigate a continent. The race will start in Sydney in August 2028, with teams heading north to the Whitsundays, before continuing on to Darwin, Fremantle and Hobart, and finishing back in Sydney in November 2028.
The 1988 Bicentennial Race was won by Sir Peter Blake and Mike Quilter aboard the 60-foot trimaran Steinlager 1. Quilter reflected on the challenge of the race:
“It’s 7,000 miles, not a Sydney Hobart. It’s as much an adventure as it is a race. It’s a long way, and you’re out in the back of beyond, so you’ve got to be self-sufficient, and you’re going to have a few problems.”
SHORAA Chair Guy Chester said safety has been central to the race design:
“From the conception of the race, safety has been our number one priority. We have adopted stringent safety standards in line with Australian Sailing’s Category 1 requirements, along with additional safety equipment, crew training and a qualifying voyage.”
The race is open to monohull and multihull yachts between 40 and 60 feet, with some smaller, fast and seaworthy monohulls potentially eligible. Racing will be conducted under IRC for monohulls and OMR for multihulls, alongside PHRF handicaps. A PredictWind Navigation Challenge will also run, with teams predicting their finishing times prior to each leg.
Expressions of Interest that meet the eligibility requirements will be granted Provisional Entrant Status. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, with fleet size limited by stopover logistics. Early Provisional Entrants will receive priority access to logistics and the opportunity to contribute to race planning.
More information
Race Around Australia: www.racearoundaustralia.au
Shorthanded Ocean Racing Association of Australia: www.shoraa.org
More information on SHORAA
A group of experienced sailors recently formed the Shorthanded Ocean Racing Association of Australia. They are: Chair – Guy Chester (150,000nm, two circumnavigations mostly solo, ran the Louisiades Yacht Rally 2007-2013); Secretary – Don Cortis (Atlantic crossings, Commodore Yorkeys Knob Boating Club); Treasurer – Gavin LeSueur (100k nm,1988 Race); and the committee: Ian Johnston: (150k nm,1988 Race, SoloTransTasman), John Cadwallader (200k nm,1988 Race); Kevin Le Poidevin (90k nm, Globe Solo Challenge, Melbourne to Osaka, SoloTransTasman, RSHYR Doublehanded), Mark Hipgrave (Melbourne to Osaka, SoloTransTasman, Solo Fastnet, RSHYR Doublehanded) and Bruce Arms (current fastest solo sailor around Australia).
SHORAA also has experienced advisors Sharon Ferris Choat, Jon Henry and Nic Douglass.
SHORAA is honoured to have Lisa Blair OAM and Don McIntyre as our Patrons to offer guidance and support for the Race Around Australia 2028. Lisa holds many solo sailing records including around Antarctica and around Australia aboard her yacht Climate Action Now; and Don McIntyre who ran the 1988 Bicentennial Around Australia Yacht Race, has had many extreme sailing adventures and created the Golden Globe, Ocean Globe and Mini Globe around the world races.
