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PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race | Race Updates

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  • 01 Jun, 2025 03:18:00 PM
PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race | Race Updates

PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race | Race Updates

This is a rolling news story and will be updated with short race reports as the Ponant Sydney Noumea Yacht Race progresses. Stay tuned for the latest position updates, conditions and insights from the fleet.

Morning Update – Sunday 1 June | 1030hrs

Almost 24 hours into their journey, competitors in the Ponant Sydney Noumea Yacht Race have sailed through their first night in light south to south-easterly breezes, accompanied by a southerly swell of 2 to 3 metres

Conditions today (Sunday) remain variable, with winds around 10 knots expected to shift from the southwest to the northeast throughout the afternoon.

The boat making the most progress is Wild Thing 100, currently positioned approximately 50 nautical miles east of Port Macquarie, sailing at 13.8 knots with 876nm remaining to the finish. They currently also lead on IRC.

Further south, Pacman (DH) and Llama II are sailing between 20 and 27nm east of Sugarloaf Point, making around 5.6 knots.

Afternoon Update - Sunday 1 June | 1500hrs

Two of the three starters in the 2025 Ponant Sydney Noumea Yacht Race have retired.

Llama II has withdrawn due to rudder damage, while Pacman (DH) has retired for time constraint reasons.

This leaves Wild Thing 100 as the sole boat still racing, continuing their passage to Noumea, where they are entered in the upcoming New Caledonia Groupama Race. Wild Thing 100 has made steady progress in the variable conditions, covering 58 nautical miles in the past five hours at an average speed of 11.6 knots. They are currently positioned around 75nm southeast of South Solitary Island.

Evening Update - Sunday 1 June | 1730hrs

The 2025 PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race has concluded with all three competing yachts now officially retired.

Earlier today, Wild Thing 100, the last remaining boat on course, made the decision to retire with approximately 800 nautical miles to the finish. Skipper Grant Wharington cited concerns about the yacht’s new mast setup in the forecasted upwind conditions, prioritising crew and equipment safety.

“We have had to make the unfortunate decision to pull out of the race,” said Wharington. “Our new mast is not set up as well as it could be for another 800 nautical miles in 25 knots sailing upwind. This is hugely disappointing, but safety of crew and equipment can never be compromised. We are looking forward to the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race in July and extend our thanks to everyone for their effort in making this race run.”

Earlier in the race, Pacman (DH) retired due to time constraints, and Llama II retired following rudder damage.

After a 25-year hiatus, the race was successfully revived in 2018. However, its momentum was soon after stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced cancellations in 2020 and 2022. International travel restrictions in 2024 continued to impact the viability of the event, ultimately leading to the postponement of the 2024 race and pushing its long-awaited return to 2025.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia thanks all entrants, supporters, race sponsor PONANT and finish partner Cercle Nautique Calédonien for their commitment.

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