The Race to Auckland has STARTED...
Early Bird Entry Discount Enter before 11 October 2024
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025
The Race of a Lifetime
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) together with the Royal Akarana Yacht Club (RAYC) invite competitors to participate in the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, 11 October.
A dramatic and compelling ocean (and we mean ‘ocean’) racecourse has been shoe-horned into the start of next year’s busy Spring / Summer sailing season.
The race will start in Sydney Harbour on 11 October 2025 and finish in Auckland Harbour. This challenging trans-Tasman 1,250nm Category 1 race is open to offshore cruising and racing yachts, Two-Handed Yachts, superyachts and ocean racing multihulls.
Follow the Fleet Live
I think it’s going to be a premier race, the longest (from Australia) and an international race. This is the first time anyone gets to do it, so there should be quite a bit of interest and a strong fleet
The Alfreds have been so helpful. I had a call to see if I needed any help. You don’t get much of that these days. To have internal support makes you feel connected.
RPAYC’s Robert McClelland explains the race’s communications have been simplified for the 1250 nautical mile race: “Satellite phones, AIS and trackers on each boat, no time-consuming skeds. This follows the Club’s successful Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race, which is run on the same basis.”
The other joy for competitors is that the Sydney to Auckland into New Zealand Ocean Race has been timed to allow prospective competitors to compete on the northern circuit in Queensland beforehand and to be back in Australia in time for the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart yacht races.
Alternatively, entrants can stay on in New Zealand and take advantage of the famous Coastal Classic held in late October. There is also the Bay of Islands Sailing Week in late January 2025 to consider and Auckland to Noumea – not to mention the scenic cruising opportunities.
The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race is open to fully crewed racing and cruising yachts, two-handed yachts, superyachts and ocean-going multihulls. It is the longest race originating from Australia open to a variety of yacht classes.
Entries for the Category 1 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race, to be held by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Association with the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in New Zealand, close on 11 September 2025.
Royal Akarana Yacht Club – The Home of Blue Water Sailing
The Royal Akarana Yacht Club is one of New Zealand’s oldest yacht clubs and occupies a unique place in this country’s recreational sailing history.
Throughout its 127 years, it has been at the forefront of New Zealand yachting and particularly in its early years, had a huge influence on the way the sport developed in this country. Visit the club at https://rayc.co.nz/
Future event dates
- 2025 Race – October 11
- 2027 Race – October
- 2029 Race – October
Latest News
Hooligan smashing Sydney to Auckland-like conditions on Pittwater
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Chasing titles and records in Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025
Both the reigning line honours champion and overall winner of Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s inaugural Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race are to return for
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race – Presentation
Competitors and Club members came together to celebrate the 2023 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race at the RPAYC Clubhouse on Thursday 23 November for the
Competitor Information
RACE DOCUMENTS
RACE ENTRY
FIND OR REGISTER AS CREW
AUCKLAND ACCOMODATION OPTIONS
CONTACT INFORMATION
- For more information on participating contact sailing@rpayc.com.au
- For supporting sponsorship opportunities contact: marketing@rpayc.com.au
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- 11 October 2024: Early Bird entry (discount now closed)
- 11 September 2025: Entries Close (Late fee applies)
- 1 October 2025: Sailing Instructions, Entries, Divisions & Provisional Ratings Published
- 4 October 2025: Rating Deadline
- 9 October 2025: Skippers Briefing and Crew Cocktail Party (6:00pm RPAYC)
- 11 October 2025: Race Start Sydney Harbour
MEDIA RELEASES
- Hooligan smashing Sydney to Auckland like conditions on Pittwater
- Chasing titles and records in the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025
- Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race – Presentation
- Intiy returns home to Pittwater
- Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race – 2023 completed now 2025 to come
- The Celebration Begins
- Sydney to Auckland make for the Corner
- And we are off!
- Crews countdown to the start of the inaugural Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race
- Hong Kong entry in race for historic Lipton Cup
- Talk turns to Weather
- Serious Business
- Mayfair first interstate entry for the inaugural Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race
- Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race, scheduled for October 2023
- First entries received for the inaugural Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race
Official Race Merchandise available through Official Partner Quality Marine Clothing
20% discount on 2023 Sydney to Auckland Merchandise
Further Information
The race has been classified by the Organising Authority an Australian Sailing Special Regulations category 1 race with the addition of the OAs own additional requirements as listed in the Notice of Race.
This means that an entrant will need to have a Cat 1 Audit done and additionally have an Australian Sailing National Certified Auditor sign off the O.A.’s additional items.
RPAYC: Berths for competing boats may be available at RPAYC for a discounted rate in the build-up to the Race. For more details on berthing at the RPAYC and alternative berthing in Pittwater and Sydney, please contact the RPAYC. waterfront@rpayc.com.au
AUCKLAND: Berthing will be provided on arrival in Auckland at Jellicoe Harbour at the Wynyard berths.
Berths have access to power (63 and/or 125 amp 3-phase) and water, plug-in internet and black water pump out.
These are med-style mooring berths suiting vessels 30 – 50m in length, alongside berthage depending on size and number of vessels is also available.
The Race Committee will direct boats to their temporary berth. Boats planning to stay on in Auckland or New Zealand should contact Via Duct Marine to make arrangements. It is a condition of Entry that boats must moor in accordance with the directions of the Via Duct Marina Manager.
Australian Registration
Guide to registering your ship on the Australian General Shipping Register
Under the Shipping Registration Act 1981 (the Act), all Australian owned or operated ships, 24 metres and over in tonnage length, and capable of navigating the high seas, must be registered. Any ship sailing to a foreign port must also be registered, regardless of size. All other craft, including Government ships, fishing and pleasure craft need not be registered, but may be if the owners desire.
https://www.amsa.gov.au/guide-registering-your-ship-australian-general-shipping-register
Apply for a temporary pass for yacht races, rallies, and sailing overseas
Custom requirements are applicable to all crew and boats. RPAYC has arranged for the Australian Boarder Force to conduct Custom Clearances at CYCA and MHYC.
New Zealand Customs
Competitors are reminded that it is their sole responsibility to ensure that they clear out through customs in Australia and clear customs into New Zealand on arrival. NewZealand Entry and Visa requirements may be applicable to you. NewZealand Custom Officers will meet Competiors on arrival to Auckland on berthing at the Auckland ViaDuct Berths.
For more information on the requirements for entering New Zealand by Yacht and for the New Zealand Customs Service, Yacht Pack see: https://www.customs.govt.nz/personal/travel-to-and-from-nz/yachts/
Australian Border Force
View Departure & Entry requirements here: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-and-leaving-by-sea
A crew register is available for the race hosted by MySailTeam.
Pack & Send in Mona Vale
They will meet you at the RPAYC on Thursday 5th October from 1500hrs – before the skippers briefing and collect bags and gear. Packing crew bags between you is recommended. Sails and heavy bulky gear we suggest chatting to them about the costs ahead of Thursday.
Pricing of a bag/box depends on its destination and on its volume or weight.
Approximate estimations heading to New Zealand.
Collection Address | 16 Mitala Street, Newport 2106 |
Delivery Address | Okahu Bay, New Zealand |
Box Dimension | Weight | Cost of Freight
46 x43 x 64 CMS 25kgs $300
46 x 43 x 50 CMS 20kgs $250
46 x 43 x 35 CMS 15kgs $205
Pack & Send can tailormade box sizes to any size according to customer preferences.
Phone +61 2 9910 7000 |
Unit 2/1785 Pittwater Road, MONA VALE NSW 2103 Australia |
Safety and Survival at Sea & other Crew qualifications
Several companies offer Crew Training certification:
Several companies can lease equipment to yacht owners as required for the race, e.g. Satelight phones, Liferafts, PLBs.
EPIRB Hire
The Place to Buy, Hire or Rent a Satellite Phone – EPIRBhire Thuraya Iridium Inmarsat
Great Circle Lift Rafts
Sail Exchange
https://www.sailexchange.com.au/personal-safety-equipment/rental-gear/life-rafts-rental.html
Bettina Crafoord | Mobile – 0418 866 333
The race of a lifetime will draw the attention of an international and nationwide audience.
To be part of this event contact the Organising Authority at marketing@rpayc.com.au for a prospectus.
Share the event!
Crewing Opportunites
Event Enquiry
Contact the Organisation Authority Here and also be added to the 2025 Expression of Interest group