Sydney to Noumea Yacht Race: The Once-Fabled Ocean Passage Reignites After A 25-Year Hiatus And Covid Disruptions

As the sails unfurl once again over the Pacific, the time-honoured PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race marks a return to the yachting calendar that’s been eagerly anticipated by the sailing community. Hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) in partnership with race sponsor PONANT, the race is a rekindling of an age-old offshore classic – a race that has tested sailors’ skills, endurance, and spirit for generations.

However, the 31st of May 2025 will see this historic event return for its 12th edition as competitors embark from Steele Point, leaving the shores of Sydney far behind on their 1,064-nautical mile journey to Noumea.

Despite the smaller fleet in numbers this edition, the anticipation and the excitement is palpable. Among notable entries is Jon Linton’s Dehler 46, Llama II, wherein Linton and his nine member-strong crew are eager to finally partake in the iconic passage. Wild Thing 100, the largest yacht in the fleet co-owned by Grant Wharington and Adrian Seiffert, is set to make waves as it vies to break the race record.

Riding on a wave of decades-long friendship and thousands of nautical miles worth of collective experience, the co-skippers of Pacman are set to prove that sailing 1,064 nautical miles double-handed isn’t just a daunting challenge, but also a testament to trust, seamless teamwork, and enormous grit.

The Sydney Noumea Yacht Race’s revival is not just another page in the maritime history, but a symbol of resilience and the love of sport in the face of adversity. Sailors and enthusiasts alike eagerly await the start of what promises to be a remarkable voyage in the world of offshore racing.