Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Announces Lord Howe Island Ocean Race via Ball’s Pyramid
Biennial Category 1 Offshore Race to Start Friday, October Long Weekend 2026.
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club has announced the establishment of a new Category 1 offshore race: the Pittwater – Lord Howe Island – Ball’s Pyramid – Pittwater Ocean Race.
The inaugural edition will commence on Friday of the October Long Weekend 2026 and will be conducted on a biennial basis, alternating with the Club’s Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race, also conducted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
Expressions of Interest have now been formally called. Competitors wishing to register their interest are invited to do so by completing the EOI Form below.
The race will depart from Pittwater, track east across the Tasman Sea to Lord Howe Island, round the dramatic Ball’s Pyramid, and return to Pittwater — creating a demanding offshore loop of approximately 900 nautical miles conducted under Australian Sailing Special Regulations Category 1.
The return-course format provides significant logistical simplicity. Competitors start and finish in Pittwater, eliminating interstate or international delivery requirements while preserving the full rigour of a blue-water ocean race.
The event will be open to:
• Fully crewed monohulls
• Double-handed monohulls
• Fully crewed multihulls, subject to compliance
Handicap divisions are expected to include IRC, ORC and PHS, with the final divisional structure to be confirmed in the Notice of Race.
The inaugural edition will commence on Friday of the October Long Weekend 2026 and will be conducted on a biennial basis, alternating with the Club’s Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race, also conducted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
Expressions of Interest have now been formally called. Competitors wishing to register their interest are invited to do so by completing the EOI Form below.
The race will depart from Pittwater, track east across the Tasman Sea to Lord Howe Island, round the dramatic Ball’s Pyramid, and return to Pittwater — creating a demanding offshore loop of approximately 900 nautical miles conducted under Australian Sailing Special Regulations Category 1.
The return-course format provides significant logistical simplicity. Competitors start and finish in Pittwater, eliminating interstate or international delivery requirements while preserving the full rigour of a blue-water ocean race.
The event will be open to:
• Fully crewed monohulls
• Double-handed monohulls
• Fully crewed multihulls, subject to compliance
Handicap divisions are expected to include IRC, ORC and PHS, with the final divisional structure to be confirmed in the Notice of Race.
Commodore Rob McClelland said the race strengthens RPAYC’s structured offshore program.
“This race completes a clear offshore cycle for the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. In alternating years, competitors will have two serious Category 1 challenges from Pittwater, either the trans-Tasman race to Auckland or the Lord Howe Island and Ball’s Pyramid loop.
The race is logistically straightforward yet strategically and physically demanding. It will require disciplined preparation, offshore watch systems, weather routing and seamanship. Rounding Ball’s Pyramid will be one of the most dramatic navigational moments in Australian offshore racing.”
Ball’s Pyramid rises 562 metres from the Tasman Sea and lies approximately 20 nautical miles southeast of Lord Howe Island. The rounding introduces genuine navigational complexity and exposure to Tasman Sea spring weather systems, reinforcing the Category 1 character of the event.
Antipodes at the start line of the 2025 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race – Salty Dingo/RPAYC Media
Veteran offshore yachtsman Geoff Hill, owner-skipper of Antipodes, welcomed the initiative.
“A Category 1 offshore loop like this adds real depth to the calendar. You get proper ocean miles, fatigue management, routing strategy and offshore discipline, but with the practical advantage of finishing where you started. The course is serious, and Ball’s Pyramid will be unforgettable.”
Further details, including the Notice of Race and full safety requirements, will be released following review of Expressions of Interest.
Rob McClelland
Commodore
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club