Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2025

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2025
Seasoned sailor rates NSGCYR as ‘first class-run’

Seasoned sailor rates NSGCYR as ‘first class-run’

NEWS
04 Jul, 2025 12:02:00 PM

Seasoned sailor rates NSGCYR as ‘first class-run’

Few sailors can lay claim to having completed more than 30 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Races. But Ian Creak, owner and skipper of Beneteau 47.7 GMW Pennant Hills, has competed in so many that he is starting to lose count.

Left turn at Sydney Heads

The CYCA and Greenwich Flying Squadron sailor has also competed in around 10 Rolex Sydney Hobarts. But when it comes to deciding whether to turn left or right at Sydney Heads, Creak says his preference is left every time.

“Let’s face it, when you leave Sydney Heads it’s like getting on an aeroplane,” Creak said. “You don’t want to turn right, you want to turn left, you want to go to first class.

“And we say that going to Southport is the first class run. The further up you go, the warmer it is.”

In addition to the “spectacular scenery” experienced during the race and marine life encounters during the race, Creak’s main motivation for doing the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast year in and year out is the weather.

“It’s wintertime [in July] and everyone wants to desperately get out of the house,” Creak said. “And as soon as you leave the heads, it’s like all your troubles and cares flow out through the slipstream of the boat.”

Weather challenges & past results

But it’s not all sunshine and calm conditions. The weather can turn bitterly cold and the event is tactically challenging.

“If you get the breeze off the land, and if it’s blowing from the southwest, it can get quite cold,” Creak said.

The GMW Pennant Hills (formerly Ausreo) crew have achieved impressive results across their Noakes Sydney Gold Coast career. It helps that Creak is familiar with the journey. He has sailed the east coast of NSW for more than 30 years.

Notably in 2022, the yacht placed first in IRC Division 3 and Corinthian IRC and third in ORCi Division 2. And last year it placed third in IRC Division 2.

According to Creak, GMW Pennant Hills was on track to win its Division on IRC in the 2024 race, but they drew the short straw when it came to wind strength in the second half of the race.

“We were doing really well halfway through the race and said, ‘We’ve got this is in the bag. We are done, we are sorted. All we need to do is to get to the finish line.’ What could go wrong?” Creak said. “And we sailed out [further offshore] and consequently the breeze dropped out. We were stuck out there in panic. That’s the beauty of racing. We love the journey just as much as the destination.”

This year marks the 37^th edition of the 384nm race from Sydney to the Gold Coast, Queensland. The race starts on Saturday 26 July.

CYCA’s Season Opener

For the first time, the start of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race will also mark the CYCA’s inaugural Season Opener — a new event designed to launch the offshore sailing season in style.

Open to Members, guests and all sailing and sports enthusiasts, the day features a spectator boat experience aboard Eclipse with live race commentary by around the world sailor Jack Macartney, followed by an afterparty back at the Club with live music, food activations and a vibrant atmosphere to celebrate the start of the season.

Follow the race

Keep up with the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race action in real time. Watch the broadcast of the start via our livestream on the race website and the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race Facebook page. And track your favourite yachts throughout the race, via the yacht tracker page on the race website. We will also be posting live updates on our race website and social media pages.

See the below links:

NSGCYR entrants

Season Opener tickets

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