Bay of Islands set to host hardy sailors in iconic solo challenge

Article written by Northern Advocate Bay News columnist Sandy Myhre.  First published in The Northern Advocate, 7 May, 2026.

The Trans-Tasman Solo Challenge yacht race has had several last-minute withdrawals from the event – but not too many.

As of last week, 17 entrants had registered, with three withdrawing, including one from the USA.

Still, 17 is more than the New Plymouth Yacht Club – the previous hosts – had in the 15 years the race was under its management since 1970, setting a record.

The Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge is held every four years and is the second-oldest continuously run single-handed ocean race in the world.

It’s also the only race of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The oldest single-handed yacht race in the world is the Trans-Atlantic Race, which began in 1960.

The arrival of participants presents some logistical challenges for the Ōpua host club, with many boats arriving before the start on May 30, 2026.

Race director Julie Kidman said the Bay of Islands Marina, one of the key sponsors, is providing a week’s free berthage for every entrant and supporting the club to find additional berths as needed. Ōpua Cruising Club members are also helping to find temporary moorings where required.

The event has secured funding through the Government’s Events Boost Fund, administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Kidman said it was a vote of confidence for the race and its wider regional impact.

The Bay of Islands Business Association is providing its gazebo for pre-race events. Local yacht clubs and Rotary have been invited to participate on the wharf.

One man expected to take part in the pre-race festival is former Trans-Tasman Challenge competitor Andrew Fagan, the former frontman of The Mockers.

He entered the event in 1994 in Swirly World and was sixth and last, finishing in 17 days, two hours and two minutes. After two weeks with no sign of him, the organisers thought he was lost and considered sending out a search party.

The race office will be set up in the club rooms from May 16. Weather permitting, all boats will be on the Super Yacht Dock and Ōpua Wharf for the open day on May 24 and the Ōpua Cruising Club will also be open for visitors.

The 2026 race will cover 1170 nautical miles (more than 2000km), with a course that is slightly different from the one that set off from New Plymouth.

Instead of charging directly into the Tasman Sea when the gun goes off, the fleet will run up the Northland coast to Cape Rēinga before crossing to the Southport Yacht Club on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

It’s being run in winter, which some say will bring varied weather conditions. It might be calm for part of the event but there could also be storms at sea.

There are five Australian entrants, the rest are Kiwis.

All boats must be in Ōpua by May 16 but some have arrived early. Peter Eklington’s Pacman arrived last week from Australia.

Star Path (Samantha McGrath) and Roaring Forty (Kevin Le Poidevan) are due this week, with the rest set to arrive before the deadline.

The two female entrants are New Zealander Sharon Ferris-Choat, aboard Vixen Racing, a Class 40 yacht representing the Bay of Islands Yacht Club. Samantha (Sam) McGrath is an Australian aboard Star Path, a Stephens 40, representing Mersey Yacht Club and Ocean Racing Club Victoria (ORCV), although she is currently based in Tasmania.

The youngest competitor in the Trans-Tasman Solo Challenge is James Foster.

The oldest competitor is 79-year-old Malcolm Dickson from Ōkiato, near Russell, on board Sarau, a Dickson 55. He first entered the challenge in 1978 and says in those days the boats were smaller and “pretty primitive” compared to the better-fitted-out boats of today.

He is the defending champion. In 2023, he took line honours in the monohull division in 10 days, one hour, 53 minutes and 50 seconds, setting a new race record for what was then the new destination of Southport on the Gold Coast.

The youngest competitor is 49-year-old James Foster, sailing on board Electron, a Mumby 48, representing the Richmond River Sailing Club from Ballina, New South Wales, Australia.

Dickson’s Sarau is the biggest yacht in the fleet at 16.2m, while the smallest is Diablo at 8.7m, skippered by Peter Bourke of the Sandspit Yacht Club, Matakana.

The start time is 12pm on May 30. The two multihulls will start first followed six minutes later by the 15 monohulls.

Kidman says it could be fairly crowded at the start line, even if some skippers are likely to be conservative.

Sarau, a Dickson 55, entered by the oldest competitor in the Trans-Tasman Solo Challenge, Malcolm Dickson from Ōkiato.

“We will keep spectator boats out of the manoeuvring area but it will be a great spectacle and the public can watch from the Ōpua Cruising Club or the Ōpua Wharf.

“The R. Tucker Thompson has a special voyage for spectators at $50 per head.”

Once the starting gun fires, all the boats head down the Veronica Channel and it is expected that the spectator fleet will follow them out.

After that, they will be on their way and on their own.