The 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race finished fast, with line honours decided in just over 33 hours. Queenslander Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing 100 claimed the crown, but Kiwi fans had plenty to cheer for—V5 (hot from it’s win at the New Caledonia Grouprama race) crossed fourth, and multiple boats with New Zealand connections remain in contention on IRC. With currents, breeze shifts, and coastal traps, this classic ocean race again proved why it’s such a vital tune-up for Hobart.
Winners and front-runners
Wild Thing 100 took line honours in a time of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes (about 10 hours off the race record set by Wild Oats XI in 2012), averaging 12.3 knots over the 384-nautical mile course. Skipper Grant Wharington and co-owner Adrian Seiffert brought the maxi home just before 2200 hours on Saturday 27 July.
Behind them, Sebastian Bohm’s Smuggler (NSW) finished at 0714 hours the next morning—first among the TP52s, and provisionally leading IRC Overall. With a smart offshore strategy and steady pace, Smuggler also heads IRC Divisions 0 and 1.
Antipodes, V5, and Koa followed in succession. V5—Brian Petersen’s canting-keel TP52 from New Zealand—held her own in tight competition. As of Monday morning, Koa (NSW) was still on approach, 5.7 nautical miles from the finish.
On handicap, division leaders included:
- IRC 0 & Overall: Smuggler (NSW)
- IRC 1: Voltstar Yeah Baby (DH) (NSW)
- IRC 2 & Corinthian IRC: GWM Pennant Hills (NSW)
- Double-Handed IRC: Balancing Act (DH) (QLD), closely pursued by Jupiter (NZL)
- PHS & Corinthian PHS: Sumatra (NSW)
A final results shift was still possible at time of writing, depending on arrival times and evening breeze.
What is the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race?
The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race is a 384-nautical mile offshore event that runs from Sydney Harbour to Southport’s Main Beach. Organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) and co-hosted by Southport Yacht Club, it ranks just behind the Rolex Sydney Hobart in prestige and marks the start of the six-race Blue Water Pointscore.
A short history of the race
Since its inception in 1986, this “great winter escape” has tested crews with wind shifts, coastal currents, and tactical head-scratchers. The race owes its creation to the opening of the Gold Coast Seaway, allowing deep-keeled yachts access to Southport Harbour.
The inaugural edition featured 83 boats, with Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen firing the starting cannon and Jack Rooklyn’s Apollo claiming both line honours and handicap—a rare double. The race has since welcomed iconic yachts such as Brindabella, Wild Oats XI, Grundig, and Ichi Ban, producing famous rivalries and decisive moments for Hobart hopefuls.
Tactical offshore plays
One of this year’s defining moments came off Seal Rocks, where Bacchanal and Daguet 2 punched through the East Australian current to rejoin the offshore group. Navigators Alex Nolan (Bacchanal) and Steve Taylor (Daguet 2) had planned the move carefully, aiming to minimise current exposure and pick up fresher breeze offshore.
“It was always the plan to be offshore around this area,” Nolan said. “We had a good shift and pressure and went for it.”
The strategy worked. Bacchanal vaulted from 9th to 2nd in IRC Division 2. Daguet 2 maintained a strong position among the leading inshore boats before eventually transitioning offshore.
Meanwhile, Smuggler committed early to the wide lane—tracking 30–50 nautical miles off the NSW coast—and never looked back. By dawn on Sunday, she had built a 15-nautical mile lead over nearest rivals.
Kiwi’s to watch
With V5 sailing in the top five for line honours and Jupiter battling for IRC and Double-Handed victory, Kiwi boats made a strong showing in 2025. Other boats with New Zealand connections included Bowline, Ciao Bella, Cinquante, and Jupiter, many of them also targeting the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart.
“The match-race between Balancing Act and Jupiter has been one of the best stories of this year’s race,” noted CYCA race management. Both J/99s were locked in a tactical duel to the finish for the Double-Handed IRC crown.
Looking ahead
At the time of writing, 2025’s race remained open on handicap—especially with GWM Pennant Hills, Jupiter, and Sumatra still racing toward their time limits. Weather models suggested a lightening breeze into the evening, adding tension to an already thrilling finish.
More than just a midwinter sprint, the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast is a key battleground for testing systems, training crew, and fine-tuning navigation ahead of the Sydney Hobart. And in 2025, it delivered the full range—speed, strategy, and suspense—plus a big Kiwi showing to make local fans proud.
