The 2026/27 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore gets underway tomorrow as a fleet of 49 yachts prepares to line up for the 38th Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race.
Known as the “great winter escape”, the 384-nautical-mile race from Sydney to Main Beach on the Gold Coast is the second longest event on the Blue Water Pointscore calendar, behind only the Rolex Sydney Hobart.
This year’s fleet combines seasoned offshore campaigners, international sailing stars, first-time competitors and a strong contingent of double-handed crews, setting up one of the most competitive editions of the race in recent years.
Among the favourites is reigning overall champion Smuggler, skippered by Seb Bohm, who returns after claiming overall honours in the 2025 edition. Bohm has previously described his crew as “better, faster and hungrier” heading into the new Blue Water Pointscore season, with Smuggler chasing both overall victory and line honours.
Standing in their way is Geoff Hill’s 72-foot Antipodes, while the largest yacht in the fleet, the 76-foot Charlotte, will make its race debut under skipper James Whelan.
Charlotte also boasts one of the race’s most decorated crews. Offshore sailing legend Stacey Jackson joins the team after becoming part of the first all-women crew to complete a non-stop circumnavigation earlier this year, alongside two-time ISAF World Sailor of the Year Carolijn Brouwer. Whelan said the crew combines a wealth of offshore experience with strong chemistry.
“I’m very grateful to have built a crew that has a range of strengths and skills,” Whelan said.
“We have a very strong core crew who all get along well and just so happen to be some of the most accomplished sailors in the country and world.”
While Charlotte’s size could prove an advantage in stronger conditions, Whelan acknowledged the yacht’s 54-tonne displacement may become a handicap if the forecast lightens later in the race.
The competitive GP42 class is also expected to feature prominently in the overall standings.
Chris Dare’s **Ambition** returns after retiring from last year’s Sydney Hobart, while race sponsor Sean Langman will skipper **Back 2 Black** in her first Noakes Sydney Gold Coast campaign after extensive modifications.
“It includes new appendages, a cockpit change, a new winch package, and a few things that are secret,” Langman said.
“Our principal goal is simply to win IRC Overall.”
Also attracting attention is **Vixen Racing**, with skipper Sharon Ferris-Choat returning to offshore competition after completing the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman earlier this year.
The race also features eight double-handed entries, including Rupert Henry aboard **Mistral**, fresh from qualifying in Europe for the prestigious Route du Rhum.
Henry finished runner-up overall in the 2024 Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race and returns looking to go one better after injury forced his retirement from last year’s Sydney Hobart.
Meanwhile, newcomers Francesca Leverkus and Lindsay Stead will make their double-handed debut aboard **Yeah Baby Boatec Australia**, with Leverkus embracing the challenge despite limited preparation.
“I’m new to the boat, I’ve never raced with Lindsay before and I’m new to double-handed sailing,” Leverkus said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity. When I first told a few people, they all thought I was absolutely mental… But I felt I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.”
The fleet departs Sydney Heads at 1pm on Saturday, beginning the 384-nautical-mile passage north to the Gold Coast and opening the 2026/27 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore season.
