Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race OffShore Races

Overview
Video
Location

Event date: 26/01/2022
Event end: 09/02/2022
When: JAN-MAR
Duration: 2 weeks

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race / 1,250nm / 15 Days / Cat 1 Ocean Race

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) are excited to announce their partnership for the 1,250nm Sydney Auckland Yacht Race.

A race between these two sailing meccas is incredibly exciting, the historic rivalry between us will only add to draw sailors from both sides of the Tasman Sea as well as internationally to compete enthuses RPAYC Commodore Michael Lockley.

For the first time in decades, we will see a fully crewed yacht race from Australia to New Zealand. The race will start on Sydney Harbour and finish in Auckland Harbour in time to help the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron celebrate their 150th Anniversary and enjoy the 36th Americas Cup.

Category 1 Ocean Race

This challenging Category 1 race is open to offshore cruising and racing yachts, Superyachts, ocean racing multihulls, as well as incorporating a rally for cruisers.

Having sailed across the Tasman Sea (twice solo) David knows from personal experience that this race will be one of the toughest and uniquest ocean races on the world offshore calendar. With nothing but the 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.

With a large fleet of yachts expected, ranging from 36 to 100 foot in length and the electric pre-race village atmosphere at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, followed by the excitement of the build-up to the start on Sydney Harbour, its hard to describe and will probably only be second to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race in pre-start excitement. With spectator vessels, helicopters overhead and people lining the Sydney waterfront and cliff tops, the race start will be spectacular.

City of Sails

We’ll assemble in Sydney, giving us 3 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 home of the Americas Cup.

Difficulty Level:

Tough

Price:

8750$ AUD

Book on Ocean Gem Beneteau 445

Boats
Program
Tips
Inclusions
Exclusions

Select options

Maxi Yachts
Silver Fern 72 ft expedition yacht
€579.00 – €25,515.00

Pay Deposit

Sydney to Auckland Race / 1,250nm / 26 Jan – 9 Feb 2022

You can fly directly into Sydney Airport on Wednesday 26th January. Our crew will officially assemble that evening and you will join us for a crew dinner ashore. On Thursday 27th we’ll meet for breakfast early and start our process of running through checks, training drills, allocating crew roles and completing final preparations. We’ll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment. On race day we’ll get ready for departure from the dock around 11:30 am and head out into the start zone for an expected 1300 hours gun.

It’s a 7-9 day sail to Auckland depending on weather conditions and wind direction and arrival is expected on the 6th-9th of February. You are welcome to stay onboard on arrival into Auckland but its recommended due to limited space that you arrange accommodation 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 11th of February. 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 it’s likely to be a celebration you will never forget.

You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent Category 1 Course at least 2 months prior to race start.

Your crew package includes:

all meals onboard
crew meals ashore in Sydney and Auckland (on arrival)
accommodation onboard
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.

Your crew package excludes:

accommodation ashore
flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports
alcohol
meals ashore in Auckland
toiletries
clothing and wet weather gear.

Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.

You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent Category 1 Course at least 2 months prior to race start.

Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.

Boats

Select options

Maxi Yachts
Silver Fern 72 ft expedition yacht
€579.00 – €25,515.00

Pay Deposit

Program

Sydney to Auckland Race / 1,250nm / 26 Jan – 9 Feb 2022

Tips

You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent Category 1 Course at least 2 months prior to race start.

Inclusions

Your crew package includes:

all meals onboard
crew meals ashore in Sydney and Auckland (on arrival)
accommodation onboard
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.

Exclusions

Your crew package excludes:

accommodation ashore
flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports
alcohol
meals ashore in Auckland
toiletries
clothing and wet weather gear.

Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.

You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent Category 1 Course at least 2 months prior to race start.

Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.

Our Guests Experiences

Alex Lomakin

I have learnt a lot over this time, be it regattas, twilight racing, ocean racing, delivery trips; it’s all been a fantastic time.

Guy Reeve

Sailing 800nm with David Hows on Ocean Gem from Southport to Lord Howe Island and Pittwater via Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs was an absolute blast and one of my all-time top trips, with conditions ranging from challenging to cruisy.

Peter Chapman

Having done a little sailing many years ago, I jumped at the chance to crew on David Hows’ Ocean Gem in ‘Twilight’ and offshore races out of Southport Yacht Club.

Kris Hook

I have completed more than 2,000nm of ocean passages as a crew member on Ocean Gem. In this time I’ve experienced a very committed skipper who always puts the safety of the crew and the boat at top of the list.

Joanne Harpur

Offshore sailing is not always fun, it can be cold, tiring, and unforgiving. Would I sail with David Hows on Ocean Gem again? Absolutely.

Kevin Holland

David is a true gentleman, a wonderful mentor and the type of person I aspire to be like. Nothing was a problem for him or the others. I never was made to feel bad for making mistakes and this provided an opportunity to improve, improvise and learn.

Lena Padukova

On our recent Trans-Tasman passage from Auckland to Southport, David again proved he is a great skipper, very competent, skilful and high-performing, but also respectful and patient. His organisational skills are exemplary; nothing is left to chance. He’s a competent leader and a great guy.

Mike Stone

Highlights for me were the great company, all the sailing experiences I could handle, the company of dolphins every day and the achievement of an adventure and ocean race, I have dreamed of often over the years and now realised.

April Seymour

David stays calm and totally patient with us taking the time to get the job done without adding any extra pressure or stress. I definitely learned a lot and the experience will make me a better skipper.

Steve Tucker

As a skipper, a team mate and sailor David is exceptional. The environment he creates is relaxed and yet his competitiveness is infectious.

Mark Gallick

Sailing with David Hows was a great experience and made me realise – yes I do want to get another sailboat. David makes everyone feel “safe and comfortable”

Tim Wolff

Sailing on Ocean Gem is the highlight of my week. David’s passion and enthusiasm for sailing Ocean Gem is contagious and has had a positive impact on my life.

Ian Mackay

Ian Mackay about Benedikt Clauberg, skipper of Beneteau First 47.7 Kali “I wanted to thank you for a great sailing experience in the Round Barbados Race”

Christy MacLeod

Three words to describe my experience with Sail Race Crew: Experts, Education, Adventure! The foundation is a wonderful feeling of welcome and support.

Natasha Edwards

It was an experience of epic proportions. The support and encouragement by skipper David Hows was brilliant. There is something compelling about the ocean.

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