It’s race day at the Club, and crew members in team jerseys are cluttering the dock in colourful pre-race clusters.

Excitement is building on A-arm and D-Arm at the Club, where crew members are jumping on and off boats, in preparation for the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race which is set to start at AEST 1300hrs.

It’s 22 degrees and sunny at 1 New Beach Road, with only a very light, breeze blowing. The fleet is now all in the marina, and on a beautiful morning at Rushcutters Bay, and on each side of the dock, there are white boats hosting huddles of crew. Everyone else is standing excitedly, chatting about race tactics and sail changes.

The sound of motivational music is playing, sprays of sunscreen are flying, and puddles of food in paper bags are sitting on the dock, waiting to be loaded into boats.

Bearded navigators are nestled below deck, looking at models, while boat captains are above, rallying around new crew members.

Follow the start of the race on the live stream via Noakes Sydney Gold Yacht Race site.