Offshore goes online

Virtual Regatta stages more than 50 official events each year, including digital editions of the Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum and Transat Jacques Vabre.

Virtual Regatta Deputy CEO Tom Gauthier said the addition of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast would strengthen the platform’s Australian offshore racing program.

“We are proud to bring two of the world’s great offshore races, the Rolex Sydney Hobart and the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast, to our global community of eSailors,” Gauthier said.

Our players line up on the same start line as the real fleet and race the same course in real time, which is the closest thing to being on board. We can’t wait to see them take on the run up the coast this July.”

CYCA Chief Executive Officer Justine Kirkjian said the partnership would give sailing fans another way to engage with the race from anywhere in the world.

“The CYCA and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race have been partnering with Virtual Regatta successfully for a decade and the opportunity to add the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race to the partnership is exciting,” Kirkjian said.

“Alongside the live stream of the race start on CYCA TV via YouTube, the game will give our community all around the world another way to engage with this great event.”

The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race starts at 1pm AEST on 25 July 2026 and is organised by the CYCA with the cooperation of finish partner Southport Yacht Club.

Event details

Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

Start: 1pm AEST, 25 July 2026
Course: Sydney to the Gold Coast
Distance: 384 nautical miles
Organiser: Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
Finish partner: Southport Yacht Club
Virtual platform: Virtual Regatta

goldcoast.cycaracing.com