Trans-Tasman Yacht Race: Sydney to auckland / 1,270nm / 24 feb - 12 mar 2025
17 days / cat 1 ocean race / EVENT #2547 / Silver fern & salt Lines: CREW positions available
For just the second time in decades we will see a fully crewed Category 1 yacht race from Australia to New Zealand. The race will start on Sydney Harbour and finish in the Auckland Harbour. This challenging race is open to offshore cruising and racing yachts in the IRC and PHS divisions.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) are excited to announce their partnership for the 1,270nm Sydney to Auckland event.
With our skippers having sailed across the Tasman Sea more than 20 times (twice solo), we know from personal experience that this race will be one of the toughest and uniquest ocean races on the world offshore calendar in 2025. With nothing but open ocean from the bottom of Australia and New Zealand to Antartica; 1,000nm to the south, the ocean swell can build rapidly in height, with no land to stop it for more than 2,500nm until it hits the shores of the Pacific Islands.
There are many reasons why more people have climbed Mount Everest than have sailed across the Tasman Sea and the rapidly changing nature of the Tasman Sea's weather system is one of them.
We'll assemble in Sydney on the 24th of February, giving us 4-5 days of crew preparation, training drills and final checks. It promises to be a unique experience from the moment you land in Sydney to the time you sail into Auckland, the city of sails and current home of the Americas Cup.
Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.
AUD$11,750
17 days
Additional media
Check out photo gallery highlights from previous ocean races and passages.
Download the Notice of Race
Itinery
You can fly directly into Sydney Airport on the 24th of February 2025. Our crew will officially assemble that evening and you will join us for a crew welcome dinner. On the 25th of February we'll meet for breakfast and start our process of running through checks, training drills, allocating crew roles and completing final preparations. It’s recommended that you arrange accomodation ashore from 24 - 28 February due to limited space onboard during final boat and race preparation in the days leading up to the start. We'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment. The start for this race is staggered so that the yachts arrive in Auckland close together. We anticipate a start on 28 February or the 1st of March.
It’s a 7 - 10 day sail to Auckland depending on weather conditions and wind direction and arrival is expected on the 8th-10th of March. You are welcome to stay onboard on arrival into Auckland, but its recommended due to limited space that you arrange accomodation ashore especially if staying on in Auckland for any length of time.
When we arrive in Auckland at the RNZYS, we'll tie up at the marina, clear customs and the head to the RNZYS to join the post race festivities. You should plan to fly out of Auckland after midday on the 12th of March. It’s expected most of our crew plan to stay on and enjoy a few days in Auckland at the end of the race, as its likely to be a celebration you will never forget.
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD
Sailing: Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
Watch duties: Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
Weather: Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.
Navigation: Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Leadership: Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
Safety: Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Training: Use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
Personal wellbeing: Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Passage planning: Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications / customs and sail/motor arrival plan.
Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, accommodation onboard, crew meals ashore in Sydney and Auckland (on arrival), your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, an Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew jacket, marina fees, race entry fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel are also included along with suncream.
A 3-day pre-race, crew training session on 25-27 February 2025, with accommodation and meals onboard valued at $1,495 is also included.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 2 months prior.
Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
Review sailing calendar for all events