Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge – 24 Hours into the Race

Just over 24 hours after the start of the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge, the fleet has already faced exactly what was forecast – strong winds, big seas, and a demanding first test of both sailors and their boats.
The good news is that all competitors are safe, and every boat remains in the race.
As the fleet crossed an active weather front overnight, competitors reported gusts exceeding 50 knots. These conditions have required constant attention and careful seamanship as skippers balance performance with the need to look after both themselves and their boats.
A couple of competitors are managing minor sail issues that have reduced their speed, but both continue to make steady progress and remain firmly in the race. This is all part of offshore sailing, where resilience, problem-solving, and determination are often just as important as outright speed.
As competitors settled into their offshore routines, Race Management also worked through a few minor communications issues. Supporters following the trackers may have noticed an unusual situation involving Electron. The yacht has switched to a spare Yellowbrick tracker, meaning a stationary "Electron" may still appear in the Bay of Islands. Rest assured, this is simply a tracking anomaly. All is well onboard, and Electron is currently making good progress towards Southport at speeds exceeding eight knots.
At the front of the fleet, Oceans Tribute continues to hold the overall line honours lead, while the battle for monohull honours remains fiercely contested. Vixen Racing and Pretty Boy Floyd have traded the lead on several occasions, highlighting just how competitive this year's race is proving to be.
The handicap competition is equally close, with Sarau and Pretty Boy Floyd both spending time at the top of the leaderboard as the fleet works its way west across the Tasman.
While the leading boats are beginning to emerge from the worst of the conditions, the majority of the fleet still has plenty of wind and sea state to contend with over the coming hours. The race remains very much in its early stages, and there is still a long way to go before anyone can begin thinking about the finish line.
A reminder to supporters following the race online: offshore yacht racing can produce some unusual tracker movements and temporary communications gaps, particularly during challenging weather. We ask everyone to avoid speculation regarding the status of competitors and instead wait for official updates from Race Management. This helps ensure accurate information is shared and prevents unnecessary concern for families, friends, and supporters.
For those of you glued to the race tracker, PredictWind positions are currently updating every hour on the hour, providing a fascinating window into the progress of the fleet as they take on one of the world's great offshore sailing challenges.
Stay tuned for further updates as the adventure across the Tasman continues.