The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race Expands for 2025 with the Addition of the Ocean Rally and a Growing Fleet of Competitors
On 11 October 2025, the iconic Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race returns, challenging sailors with a grueling 1,250-nautical-mile journey across the Tasman Sea—one of the world’s most unpredictable and treacherous bodies of water. Building on the success of its inaugural 2023 edition, the 2025 race promises to be bigger, bolder, and more competitive than ever.
The race, jointly hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) in Sydney and the Royal Akarana Yacht Club (RAYC) in Auckland, will see yachts depart from Sydney Harbour, head north to round a turning mark off Barrenjoey Headland, before setting course southeast towards Auckland.
In an exciting addition to the race, the 2025 edition will introduce the Rally for Cruisers, allowing cruising yachts and cruising multihulls to join the adventure. Yachts with a minimum waterline length of 8.5 metres (for monohulls) and 9.5 metres (for multihulls) are eligible to enter the rally, provided they hold a Category 1 certificate for the endurance course.
Rally participants can choose to start either from Sydney Harbour or Pittwater, following the same challenging route as race competitors, with the rally’s course extending to Auckland Harbour via Cape Reinga.
RPAYC Commodore Rob McClelland expressed his excitement about the rally’s addition:
“I highly recommend the Rally to any sailor seeking adventure. You’ll be in good company with others sharing the same journey. New Zealand offers some of the most spectacular cruising grounds in the world—the stunning harbours, bays, and islands are unparalleled.”
McClelland encourages participants to explore beyond Auckland, with options to cruise New Zealand’s scenic Bay of Islands, Whangaroa Harbour, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel Peninsula, and other hidden gems.
The 2025 race is already attracting a competitive and diverse fleet, with entries dominated by Australian sailors. The current list of confirmed entrants includes a mix of experienced racers, newcomers, monohulls, and multihulls, promising an intense and varied contest across the Tasman Sea.
Key entries include:
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Wind Cheetah – A 1992 Arber 38 Catamaran skippered by Darren Drew and Alice Parker from RPAYC. As the first multihull entry in the race’s history, Wind Cheetah brings significant experience, having won two Brisbane to Gladstone races in the 1990s. Drew, a local RPAYC member, is thrilled by the growing interest in the race and hopes more multihulls will join. “We’re looking forward to more multis joining us—it’s going to be an epic adventure,” Drew says. Follow Wind Cheetah’s journey here.
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Peccadillo – A 14.75m Chris White 46 MKII Catamaran skippered by Charles Meredith from the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYC). Meredith brings extensive offshore experience, including races from Melbourne to Hobart and Brisbane to Hamilton Island. “The chance to compete internationally is too good to pass up,” Meredith says. “We’re allowing up to ten days for the race, but we aim for around seven. Preparation is key, and this will be our longest race yet.”
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Pretty Woman – A 1996 Farr 45 Modified keelboat skippered by Richard Hudson from RPAYC. Hudson’s boat participated in the 2024 Sydney to Hobart race but retired due to headstay foil damage.
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Wings – A 2017 Dehler 46 skippered by Ian Edwards from RPAYC.
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Awen – A 2002 IMOCA Open 60 skippered by Sharon Ferris-Choat from SYC. Ferris-Choat is a decorated sailor with a bronze medal from the 2003 Yngling World Championships and three global circumnavigations under her belt. Her wealth of experience makes Awen a formidable competitor in this demanding race.
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First Picasso – A 2010 Jeanneau 57 skippered by RPAYC Commodore Robert McClelland. McClelland is a seasoned offshore racer and will be a key player in the 2025 edition.
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Frantic – A 2004 TP52 skippered by former rugby international Mick Martin from CYCA. Martin’s Frantic has an impressive offshore racing record, including victories in the Gosford to Lord Howe and the Sydney to Noumea races.
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Antipodes – The 1997 Santa Cruz 72 skippered by 2023 race winner Geoffrey Hill from CYCA, who is set to defend his title. Hill described the race as “a long, challenging route that really tests the sailors. That’s why we’re coming back.”
The race’s course is infamous for its toughness. After leaving Sydney Harbour, yachts face the open Tasman Sea’s vast expanse, where swells grow significantly and weather conditions can shift unpredictably, requiring constant tactical adjustments and teamwork.
Renowned meteorologist Roger Badham OAM, who has worked with top sailing teams worldwide, advises the event organisers on the race’s timing to ensure the best weather conditions. “The Tasman Sea is a tough piece of ocean, but October typically offers the best window for this challenge,” Badham explains.
As competitors near the New Zealand coast, conditions often improve, providing relief as sailors approach the Bay of Islands and Auckland’s vibrant harbour—marking the end of a grueling but rewarding passage.
Safety remains a priority. All participants will carry satellite phones, AIS, and trackers, ensuring race organisers can monitor the fleet and offer timely assistance when needed.
The 2025 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race, with its mix of elite racers and adventurous cruisers in the new Rally, promises to be an unforgettable test of endurance, skill, and camaraderie across one of the ocean’s most demanding stretches.
