Kiwi Sailor Among First-Timers in the Prestigious Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race

There’s an electrifying spark in the air on the Pacific coast, as the 40th Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race prepares to unfurl its sails. Among the compelled competitors, New Zealand’s Brian Petersen is ready to make his debut in his TP52, V5. Formerly an onlooker in the thrilling horizon-slicing event, this year will see the Kiwi sailor reposition himself at the heart of the action and the camaraderie of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s (RPAYC) annual coastal classic. Having experienced a calendar brimming over with sailing engagements in 2025, Petersen’s decision to enter this high-profile race indicates his enduring enthusiasm for the sport and his engrained spirit of competition. And why wouldn’t he be excited? With the promise of a pleasant ‘slide up the coast’, the charming satisfaction of finally docking his boat at Pittwater, and a crew comprising a blend of Kiwi and Aussie sailors, it’s an adventure just waiting to happen! Following this race, Petersen reckons, his seafaring journey will navigate through other fascinating destinations. ‘The Brisbane Gladstone’, ‘Sydney Gold Coast’ and ‘Brisbane to Mackay’ form later checkpoints on Brian’s route, before wrapping up at ‘Sail Paradise’ in Southport. Annie Stevenson, another entrant making a run at the Pittwater Coffs race for the first time, echoes Petersen’s enthusiasm with her own twist. Marking her skipper debut, she’ll sail double-handed on ‘Employment Hero Alliance’, a Dehler 30 One-Design, with co-skipper Peter Winter. A constant catalyser of sailing evolution, Stevenson brands this race as the perfect first offshore experience for double-handed sailing and an ideal gateway for novices to essentially experience offshore racing. This racing event serves as an equalising platform where small boats can win, and March’s relatively tame conditions add to its appeal. Furthermore, as the duo prepares for an eventful season, the upcoming race’s perfectly timed and wonderfully designed course becomes that much more significant. On the whole, the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race remains ever more a cherished highlight in the sailing community’s calendar.