Yachting News

It’s been a busy month of yachting here on the Gold Coast, with the increasing intensity of on water activity matched only by the almost daily spectacular lightning shows across the sky. Find all the latest news, upcoming event reminders and Academy updates below.

Member Michael Spies Returns for His 47th Sydney to Hobart

Southport Yacht Club is proud to celebrate longtime member Michael Spies, who features in this week’s pre-race coverage ahead of the 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. This year, Michael will contest his 47th Sydney to Hobart, again skippering the beautifully restored 121-year-old Maritimo Katwinchar, the oldest yacht in the 2025 fleet. In the article, Michael is photographed alongside a previous Sydney to Hobart winner, a fitting pairing that reflects the experience, history, and competitive spirit behind this milestone edition of the race.

Katwinchar stands out among the modern giants of the fleet — at just 32 feet, she represents a proud era of traditional craftsmanship. Michael spoke openly in the article about the realities for smaller yachts: while the chances of an overall victory are reduced in fast years dominated by 100-foot maxis, a longer, tougher race can completely reshuffle the standings. And he would know,  he famously claimed the Overall Win in 2003 aboard a smaller yacht under exactly those kinds of conditions.

Michael also highlighted how the 80th anniversary race has attracted an exceptional field, with many crews and skippers aiming to make history. Yet amidst the competition, Katwinchar holds a unique place — a living piece of sailing heritage, proudly restored and backed by the passion of the Maritimo team. The entire Southport Yacht Club community wishes Michael and the crew of Maritimo Katwinchar a safe, fast, and unforgettable race.

Check out the latest article:
https://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/race/2025/news/pre-race/sailors-hedge-their-bets-on-80th-rolex-sydney-hobart/

Offshore Short Passage Race 1

Sunday 23rd November
The opening race of the offshore short passage series began with a fast-moving storm sweeping through in the morning, leaving crews waiting for the wind to settle and the skies to clear. Six boats started, with five finishing after ACCOMPLICE retired following a spinnaker mishap at the Surfers mark.

Division One saw a close battle between the two Sydney 38s, SEAYA and 38, with competitive racing right to the finish. This was a challenging but rewarding start to the offshore short passage series and a taste of the exciting season ahead. Three days of sailing that truly showcased the spirit of SYC. Thank you to all sailors, supporters, and volunteers who made it possible.

Full results are available here.

JOHN MCNAMARA MEMORIAL RACE

Saturday 22nd November
Eight boats, four catamarans and four monohulls, lined up for this year’s Memorial Race. Starting just south of Pelican Banks, the fleet ran towards Peel Island, rounded to port, then headed for Hope Banks before the home run upwind to the finish.
Line honours went to:

Mr Bojangles

Tahanea

Tao

Combined PHS results:

Mr Bojangles

Ocean Racer Chaser

Havachat

This race was a fitting tribute to John McNamara, with competitive racing and great spirit across the fleet.

ANNUAL CHARITY SAILING DAY

Friday 21st November
What an incredible day out on the water! The SYC Annual Charity Sailing Day, proudly supported by Ord Minnett, delivered another fantastic day of sailing, sunshine, teamwork and fun. Industry leaders, colleagues and clients came together for an unforgettable half day of racing, all in support of Youth Sailing. From welcome drinks to post-race celebrations, the energy was high and the camaraderie on board every vessel was inspiring. A huge thank you to our skippers and crew for generously giving their time and boats, and to Nathan Blair and the team at Ord Minnett for their continued commitment.
Special congratulations to Sea-Ya!, who sailed brilliantly to claim the win. Over 10 years on, this event just keeps getting better. Here’s to many more!

SYC CLAIMS THE GOODWILL CUP (SAILING) 2025!
15th – 16th November 2025
Well done to our SYC vessels and crews who sought to claim the RQYS Sailing Goodwill Cup over the weekend for our Club this year, and a massive congratulations to David Rose and his crew aboard WEDGETAIL who won the Cup for SYC!  Of 6 teams, SYC team achieved:

1st place in IRC

3rd place in PHS and

the mixed SYRQ team achieved 4th in PHS and IRC.

Notable individual overall results:

Wedgetail achieved 1st overall in IRC, and 4th in PHS (equal score to 3rd). Congratulations David Rose!

Black Diamond achieved 4th in IRC and 6th in PHS,

Trex achieved 3rd in IRC and 9th in PHS,

Alpha Tauri achieved 13th in PHS.

PAPER TIGER CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025
Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th November
It was a great weekend for the 2025 Queensland Paper Tiger Championships! Varied conditions offshore provided a fresh first day and a becalmed second day.
Thanks to the sponsors Trex, The Tile Company, GC Sails and Tan Lines. Thanks also to race officer Jeff Rosenboom for delivering a great event and all the on water Volunteers!
Congratulations to the following winners:

BLUE SKIES FOR THE COOK ISLAND YACHT RACE !

Sunday 2nd November

Between lightning storms on both Saturday and Monday, a fleet of 11 crews who decided to go ahead were blessed with some ideal racing conditions on Sunday for Race 3 of our Coral Sea Pointscore Series, the Cook Island Yacht Race 2025/26. The Fleet was sent north for a windward start to a clearing mark, before kites were hoisted for the relatively straight-forward passage down passed the NSW border. SYC’s race control team did a great job to host our drone pilot and arrive just in time to lay the Cook Island Mark, with Aramex Shining Sea the first boat around, followed by Wedgetail, Touche42 and Black Diamond. The return leg was also relatively straight forward with next to no tacks required of the leading boats, making this year’s race a fast and close one on corrected time.

Congratulations to the following winners:

ORC OVERALL & IRC:

1st: Wedgetail – David Rose, corrected time on IRC of 04:35:21 and ORC 05:02:52

2nd: Touche42 – Greg Watson, corrected time on IRC of 04:37:07 and ORC 05:07:11

3rd: Aramex Shining Sea – Chris Noyes, corrected time on IRC of 04:38:34 and ORC 05:10:37

PHS:

1st: Alpha Tauri – Wayne Kirby

2nd: Touche42 – Greg Watson

3rd: Wedgetail – David Rose

For all the photos from on water and presentation, please visit the SYC Offshore & Twilight Facebook Group

UPCOMING SYC SPECIAL EVENTS

GCCM GOLD COAST MACKAY YACHT RACE 2026

EOI is now open for 2026. Indicate your intention to race now before the early bird, and help grow this race’s momentum across Australia.