Tasman challenge

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron partner for the new Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race 2021.

12 June 2019

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The 1250-nautical-mile Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race will start on Sydney Harbour on 30 January 2021 and finish in Auckland Harbour in time to help the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron celebrate their 150th Anniversary and enjoy the 36th Americas Cup. This challenging Category 1 race is open to offshore cruising and racing yachts, Superyachts, ocean racing multihulls, as well as incorporating a rally for cruisers.

“A race between these two sailing meccas is incredibly exciting, the historic rivalry between us will only add to draw sailors from both sides of the Tasman Sea as well as internationally to compete” enthuses RPAYC Commodore Michael Lockley.

“Having recently been at the helm for the 150th Anniversary of the RPAYC the opportunity to join our great friends at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron to celebrate theirs is going to be fabulous. The two clubs have a great history of friendship, there is an enormous synergy in our ethos as well as our sailing programs.”

“My passion is offshore yacht racing so I can’t wait to hit the start line” concludes Commodore Lockley.

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With a huge 150th Anniversary for the RNZYS and the 36th Americas Cup all happening in Auckland in 2021 the city is going to be buzzing. RNZYS Vice Commodore, Aaron Young will be Commodore in 2021 and currently chairs the organising committee preparing for the Anniversary and Cup celebrations. A daunting task but incredibly exciting times.

“2021 is a massive year for us at the RNZYS and will certainly go down as the biggest year in our history.

“It is fantastic to be able to get the Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race back on the sailing calendar and we are already incredibly impressed with the high calibre of yachts that have expressed their interest.”

The program in Auckland 2021 will be diverse; yachts from around the world will gather including a fleet of J Class yachts, Superyachts, international classics fleet as well as the Prada Cup series and America’s Cup Match. There will no doubt be a party atmosphere as the country comes out to celebrate a famous club and the world’s most renowned yachting competition.

The attraction for the offshore boats from around the world to head south from the northern winter is like never before. Starting in December with the offshore classic, the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, then across to New Zealand in the Sydney to Auckland Race. The RNZYS are planning a race from Auckland to Southport in April and then from Southport, Brisbane is a short hop to the international shipping links worldwide or continue north and enjoy the iconic Hamilton Island Race Week in August.

Interest in the Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race is already high and a number of Grand Prix offshore yachts have already indicated their intention to be involved.

rpayc.com.au

rnzys.org.nz

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