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A 1250nm race from Sydney to Auckland will be staged in 2021 to help the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron celebrate their 150th anniversary and to coincide with the 36th America's Cup.
The Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race, which is jointly being organised by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, will start on Sydney Harbour on January 30, 2021.
This challenging category 1 race is open to offshore cruising and racing yachts, superyachts and ocean racing multihulls, and there will also be a rally for cruisers and a two-handed division. A number of grand prix offshore yachts have already expressed their interest.
RNZYS vice commodore Aaron Young will be commodore in 2021 and currently chairs the organising committee preparing for the anniversary and Cup celebrations.
“2021 is a massive year for us at the RNZYS and will certainly go down as the biggest year in our history," Young said. "It is fantastic to be able to get the Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race back on the sailing calendar and we are already incredibly impressed with the high calibre of yachts that have expressed their interest.”
The programme in Auckland 2021 will be diverse. Yachts from around the world will gather including a fleet of J Class yachts, superyachts, international classics fleet as well as the Prada Cup series and America’s Cup Match. The RNZYS are then planning a race from Auckland to Southport in April but the the Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race will be a great way to kick off the year.
“A race between these two sailing meccas is incredibly exciting,” RPAYC commodore Michael Lockley said. "The historic rivalry between us will only add to draw sailors from both sides of the Tasman Sea as well as internationally to compete.
“Having recently been at the helm for the 150th anniversary of the RPAYC, the opportunity to join our great friends at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron to celebrate theirs is going to be fabulous. The two clubs have a great history of friendship. There is an enormous synergy in our ethos as well as our sailing programmes.
“My passion is offshore yacht racing and so I can’t wait to hit the start line.”
For full details and information about the RNZYS 150th anniversary programme visit www.rnzys.org.nz The notice of race for the Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race will be available shortly.
Expressions of Interest to should sent to sailing@rpayc.com.au
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact marketing@rpayc.com.au
