With six races covering 1,615 nautical miles, the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore returns with an exciting full schedule for 2022/23.
The previous two Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscores were shortened due to COVID-19 restrictions.
But the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is pleased to welcome entries for the six-race 2022/23 series, which begins with the 384 nautical mile Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race on Saturday 30 July.
This will be followed by the 88nm Flinders Islet Race on Saturday 24 September and the inaugural Tollgate Islands Race (260nm) on Friday 14 October.
Race 4 of the 2022/23 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore is the 83nm Bird Island Race on Saturday 12 November, while the Cabbage Tree Island Race (172nm) on Friday 2 December provides an enthralling precursor to the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
CYCA Commodore, Noel Cornish AM, said: “The Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore challenges the most ardent ocean racers from across Australia and abroad over six races.
“The CYCA is pleased to introduce the Tollgate Islands Race to the 2022/23 calendar, with the third-longest race in the Pointscore adding valuable preparation for crews as they work towards the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart.
“The Wild Rose Pointscore, encouraging female participation, is also among the major overall trophies to be contested by the fleet.
“I would like to thank Audi Centre Sydney for their continued support of the CYCA’s most prestigious Pointscore and look forward to seeing another high calibre fleet competing across the six races.”
Ashley Horne, General Manager of Audi Centre Sydney, added: “Audi Centre Sydney is proud to be continuing our partnership with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the Blue Water Pointscore.
“There is a wonderful synergy between Audi Centre Sydney and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and we’re thrilled to be involved with the Club and Australia’s best ocean racing series.”
Entries are now open on the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore website.
Competitors may submit a block entry to compete in all six races, or enter each race individually.
2022/23 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore schedule
- Race 1 – Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race (Saturday 30 July)
- Race 2 – Flinders Islet Race (Saturday 24 September)
- Race 3 – Tollgate Islands Race (Friday 14 October)
- Race 4 – Bird Island Race (Saturday 12 November)
- Race 5 – Cabbage Tree Island Race (Friday 2 December)
- Race 6 – Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (Sunday 26 December)
Find out more about each race.
How it works
Points accrued across the six races will determine the winners of the overall trophies:
- Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore (awarded to the overall IRC winner)
- Cape Byron Series (awarded to the overall ORCi winner)
- Tasman Performance Series (awarded to the overall PHS winner)
- Bass & Flinders Series (awarded to the overall Line Honours winner)
- Wild Rose Pointscore (encourages female participation across all boats in the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore)
Perpetual trophies are awarded to overall winners in each of the six races, as well as to the overall Pointscore champions.
The history
The CYCA first introduced the Blue Water Pointscore in 1958, won by Graham Newland’s Lion 35, Siandra.
Matt Allen’s Botin 52, Ichi Ban, is the defending Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore champion.
Ichi Ban won fully-crewed overall honours (IRC) in the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Bird Island Race, finishing second in the Flinders Islet Race and Cabbage Tree Island Race.
Richard Hudson and David Beak’s Farr 45 Pretty Woman was named the inaugural winner of the Wild Rose Pointscore, with five female sailors on board for the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart.
View the honour roll from the 2021/22 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore.
