2nd GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race start tomorrow

GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race 2025 © Southport Yacht Club

After a Welcome Party for all crew from around Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Hong Kong held last night at the Southport Yacht Club, today marks the final day of race preparations for the 2nd GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race 2025. 28 boats are lining up for this year's start, which is a major increase from 19 in last year's inaugural race fleet.

Connecting two regional cities with the glamour and passion of sailing, cannon fire tomorrow at 1pm onboard the start boat will mark the start of the race, directly offshore from Cavill Avenue in Surfers Paradise.

Down on the docks, crews are going through their final preparations. With the forecast over the next few days set on fair winds to send the fleet into the even warmer tropics, spectators can expect a fast spinnaker start.

Race organizer Southport Yacht Club has announced a Live Commentary and media team for the start line tomorrow, with all Race Updates, Live Commentary of the Start and the Live Tracker links on the official website: goldcoastmackay.com/livetracker

This year's Commentary team includes sailing aficionados Jordan Spencer, Danielle Hutchinson and Hayden Barney. Live coverage will be coordinated with live crosses between boats, drones and competitors onboard their racing yachts.

Southport Yacht Club will be publishing race updates every four hours throughout the race, sharing content from the competitors offshore on socials with the hashtag #gcmyr25, and filming dock arrivals in Mackay.

Commodore of the Southport Yacht Club, Glenn Burrell says that without the support of sponsors, organising event spread across two sites 1000 km apart just wouldn't happen. Each and every sponsor has been instrumental in making this event grow in 2025.