A light westerly breeze greeted competitors on Pittwater today as the fleet set sail in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, Race 3 of the 2026 RPAYC Bluewater Pointscore Series. The 140-nautical-mile offshore challenge takes crews north to Cabbage Tree Island before returning to Pittwater, testing navigation, strategy and endurance across one of the Club’s classic bluewater events.
Eight yachts crossed the start line:
- J’Ouvert (Whitehaven WH3801) – Multihull
- XS Moment (X-Yachts XP44)
- Transcendence (Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300) – 2H
- Jupiter (J/99) – 2H
- Employment Hero Alliance (Dehler 30 OD) – 2H
- Illusion (Adams 10) – 2H
- Blue Planet (J/99) – 2H
- Veloce (J/99) – 2H
XS Moment timed the start to perfection, positioning themselves expertly at the favoured end of the line and accelerating through the fleet to be first across the start line on the gun. In the light westerly conditions, securing clear air from the outset was always going to be critical.
By early afternoon, the breeze had settled into the forecast north-easterly, averaging 8–12 knots and providing a more consistent passage for the fleet as they headed north. As the sun sets, crews will transition into offshore watch routines, with finish times expected from late Saturday night through to the early hours of Sunday morning.
For the two-handed competitors, the race provides valuable preparation ahead of July’s Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race, offering an ideal opportunity to refine watch systems, sail handling and navigation procedures in offshore conditions.
Final results will be published at https://rpayc.com.au/sailing/bluewater-pointscore-series/, while those wishing to follow the fleet’s progress can track competitors live via MarineTraffic.