COVID-19: Major Australian yacht race cancelled due to coronavirus, border issues

One of Australia’s major yacht races has joined a long list of sporting events cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The race start in 2018. Pic: Andrea Francolini.

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The annual Sydney to Gold Coast yacht race has been cancelled despite being moved to a new date in October in a bid to avoid coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

The race is a major lead up to the world renown Sydney to Hobart yacht race which starts on Boxing Day.

Traditionally the race north has helped write the form guide for the Sydney to Hobart with many skippers and crews using the race north as a shakedown for the bluewater classic to Tasmania in December.

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The race is traditionally run before October but was moved this year due to the pandemic. Pic: Andrea Francolini.

Many of the yachts competing in the race to Gold Coast then contest the Sydney to Hobart in December.

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A decision about this event has yet to be made by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia which has recently been closed due to COVID-19 scares and it’s vice commodore testing positive.

The 384 nautical mile race to the Gold Coast was due to have started on Sydney Harbour on October 3.

In the wake of Queensland border restrictions, the CYCA said it could not run the event.

“We’d love to run the 2020 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race but the restrictions and risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are simply too great,” CYCA Commodore Paul Billingham said.

“The health and safety of the participants, staff, other stakeholders and the community in general is the CYCA’s number-one priority.’’

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