The inaugural Trans‑Tasman Yacht Race from Sydney to Auckland has been called off just days before its scheduled start, after nine of the 11 competing boats withdrew many due to damage sustained during this summer’s racing season.
The 1,270‑nautical‑mile blue‑water event was set to begin on February 27, finishing at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland. It was to serve as the third and final leg of the Southern Cross Series, alongside the Cabbage Tree Island Race and the Sydney to Hobart.
But on Tuesday, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) announced the race would be postponed, saying the reduced fleet made the event no longer “operationally viable.”
Among the withdrawals was URM Group, a major contender for both line honours and the overall win in the 2025 Sydney to Hobart. The yacht suffered bulkhead damage in last year’s Hobart race and has not been able to complete repairs in time.
CYCA commodore Sam Haynes said the decision, while disappointing, was ultimately the most responsible course of action for the club and the competitors.
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