With a strong commitment to continuous improvement and innovation, the club has now reshaped its racing calendar to boost its appeal to a growing contingent of international competitors, who range from seasoned campaigners to emerging challengers.
Enter the Southern Cross Series: a brand new three-race programme of events that is designed with the global sailor in mind. Crucially, the Southern Cross Series has been carefully structured to complement, not conflict with, the northern hemisphere’s racing circuits in Europe, the Americas and Asia. This concentrated series will deliver world-class international racing, without compromise.
Race 1: Cabbage Tree Island Race | 5 December 2025
The series launches with a tactical sprint north and back: the 172- nautical mile Cabbage Tree Island Race. An 86-mile dash to Cabbage Tree Island and then back to Sydney, this overnight test features shifting breezes, coastal strategy and complex navigation. A longtime favourite among locals, this race now opens the international Southern Cross Series.
Race 2: Rolex Sydney Hobart Race | 26 December 2025
Next, the world will turn its eyes to the centrepiece: the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on 26 December. It is a race that embodies ambition, endurance and international prestige. Spanning 628 nautical miles, it stands as the crown jewel of Australian offshore racing. This milestone edition is set to be even more competitive than usual, with a strengthened fleet drawn by the allure of the Southern Cross Series title.
Race 3: Trans-Tasman Yacht Race | 27 February 2026
The series concludes with a historic debut: the inaugural Trans-Tasman Yacht Race, a 1,270-mile blue water crossing from Sydney to Auckland. With staggered starts over three days and a finish line off the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, this new challenge cements a powerful collaboration between two of the Southern Hemisphere’s most storied sailing clubs.
A strong mixed fleet
Sailors who plan to compete in this triple-threat event include Matt Hanning, owner and skipper the Beneteau First 53 Odin. Although Hanning is a newcomer to offshore racing he has hit the ground running. Odin placed fifth in IRC Division 2 of the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
Another keen competitor is Sebastian Bohm, owner and skipper of Smuggler, a Judel/Vrolijk TP52. Bohm and his crew of “smugglers” are a formidable force on the Australian offshore scene. They won the 2024-25 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore and placed fifth on IRC in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Bohm says: ‘We’re really excited about the new series — it ties in nicely with Hobart and Cabbage Tree, which are always fiercely competitive. The Ditch is a great stretch of water to race across and we couldn’t be happier to see this become a biennial pointscore. Our boat and crew live for offshore racing, so now it’s time to prepare for what’s ahead.’
The race is on
More than 30 yachts have already expressed interest in the Southern Cross Series, which will be staged biennially. With a mix of proven offshore yachts and brand-new ocean racers, the competition is set to reflect the global nature of the sport. Enter the full Southern Cross Series — or compete in individual events, including: the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race or Trans-Tasman Yacht Race. Whichever course you choose, the Southern Cross will guide the way.
