With the successful running of the PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race and the CYCA offshore calendar quiet until the start of the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore, CYCA Members and fellow Australian sailors are travelling abroad to compete in races around the world.

Close to home in the New Caledonia Groupama Race, Board member Tony Kirby and his team aboard Patrice have just crossed the finish line, claiming third place on Line Honours and currently sitting in first place in IRC division. Other CYCA teams which are still racing include; Sibby Ilzhofer’s Dare Devil on the home stretch down the west coast of New Caledonia and Shane Kearns’ Komatsu Azzuro rounding the exclusion zone at the north end of the island. With variable conditions and many navigational obstacles to contend with, the race has certainly challenged all entrants. To follow the tracker, see full results and latest news, head to the New Caledonia Groupama Race website.

Looking further abroad, boats are streaming in to Bermuda harbour at the completion of the Newport Bermuda Race. Long-time club Member Brad Kellett was onboard Joseph Mele’s Cookson 50 Triple Lindy which placed 16th over the line in a 169-strong fleet. Also involved in the race were Will McCarthy and Anthony Nossiter who completed the trip onboard Rambler 88 which claimed the title of Line Honours. News, images and results can be found at the Newport Bermuda Race website.

As the southern hemisphere winter continues, the CYCA calendar will focus on the lead up to the Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race and the start of the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore which will prepare the boats for the ultimate challenge on boxing day, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.