Aviator Ocean Racing

05/06/2026

Gutted to retir3rd STT Challenge. after slowly clawing my way back through the fleet. Brutal race full of extremes.

The cause, metal fatigue is my first guess. A high load, probaly 8-10T rigging shackle sheared and my structural forestay tumbled neaatly onto the deck.

Currently motoring back and forth in the leeward of Lord Howe Island as the trough passes directly over us. Even here sheltered from the waves, there is no escape from this wind until it swings and begins to ease tomorrow. Still gusting to 46 knots and my drifting with bare poles is 6 knots!
Moorings for deep draft yachts are unsafe with the current conditions, so the local Water Police suggested try Neds Bay where I will see if I can set anchor tomorrow and get some sleep before prep for return passage to Port Stephens.

Competitor Update – Roaring Forty

Unfortunately, we can confirm that Roaring Forty has retired from the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge.

The skipper is safe and is currently making for Lord Howe Island, where repairs will be undertaken before determining the next steps.

Retirement from a race of this magnitude is never an easy decision. Every competitor has invested countless hours preparing themselves and their vessel for the challenge of crossing the Tasman solo, making the decision to withdraw particularly difficult.

Race Management remains in contact with the skipper and will continue to monitor the situation. We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

Please join us in wishing the skipper a safe arrival at Lord Howe Island and a successful repair effort.

04/06/2026

What looked ti be a promising wind shift to allow me to clear Balls Pyramid and Lord Howe Island to the west has shut down, primarily because there's no bloody wind .

Seriously gusty, abrupt 50 knot squalls with Crazy Ivan windshifts, squall lines extending beyond the edges of my radar screen and zero sleep.. Not a happy camper/sailor.

04/06/2026

Inside the squall, close up and personal on Roaring Forty.
Solo TransTasman Yacht Challenge

04/06/2026

Thurs 04 June and this morning has been good....well mostly. Managed to hold high on my course balancing slamming and speed.. For 30 min it will blow 30 knots then randomly drop to 12-14. Wind speeds and angles change and now the sail plan does not match conditions. As single-handed sailors we can't whip out a sail change every time the breeze drops or picks up. Its a compromise on performance vs gains vs fatigue.

I filled the Jetboil, had a Spa day, made a coffee and chilled for an hour. Nothing happened, weather seemed stable, so okay let's string up a Jib Top giving me an extra 32sqm of sail out front with the J3 stacked underneath at 24sqm. Mainsail still at #3 Reef.

Off we go, and instead of ups and downs in speed, we are driving along at a steady 6-7 knots in 3m seas and 12 knots of breeze without the drop in speed in the wave trough, like when only the J3 was flown. Going great for half an hour and the breeze slowly increased to 20 knots and we are pointing as high as the JT can go. Speeds jumped to 9-10s but I knew we would soon be overpowered as the breeze now hit 30 knots.

So its time to bear away off wind and quickly furl the Jib Top. All good, bring the boat back on proper course and then go forward to close the double clutches on the endless furling line....almost. I think the furler lock pinl may have broken, so the sail unfurled before I could close the clutches. KAOS followed. Finally furled and stowed and ready for the next deployment.

Not 30 min later rinse repeat, so this time I mlunch....Nasi Goreng!
Solo TransTasman Yacht Challenge

04/06/2026

Get ready to come and welcome the Solo Trans-Tasman Finishers!

After battling the Tasman Sea alone, some of our competitors are now approaching the finish line, and we'd love to see a crowd there to welcome them home.

The best place to watch the boats arrive is at the Gold Coast Seaway.

There are excellent viewing opportunities along the entire southern seawall, but the most exciting vantage point will be at the western end of the wall, near the southern end of Wave Break Island. This is the narrowest section of the channel, where you'll get a fantastic close-up view as the boats enter the Gold Coast Broadwater.

Once through the Seaway, competitors will continue south through the Broadwater toward the finish at Southport Yacht Club Main Beach Clubhouse & Marina.

These sailors have crossed one of the world's most challenging stretches of water completely alone. Let's give them the welcome they deserve as they complete this remarkable achievement.

Keep an eye on the Yellow Brick Tracker for the latest positions and estimated arrival times, and come down to be part of the celebrations!

Opua Cruising Club
Southport Yacht Club

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

Great job Bill. See you at SYC for storytelling :)

Bill Kidman aboard Pretty Boy Floyd has arrived safely back in Opua.

While it wasn't the outcome Bill had hoped for, the most important thing is that he is safe and ashore. We know how much preparation, commitment, and determination goes into reaching the start line of the Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge, and we acknowledge the disappointment that comes with having to step away from the race.

Race Management extends its thanks to everyone who has supported Bill and wishes him a safe recovery and fair winds for future adventures.

03/06/2026

The 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge enters a critical phase as 37-knot winds, lightning storms and heavy seas test the fleet. Oceans Tribute leads on the water while Vixen Racing extends its handicap advantage.

02/06/2026

Theres a constant 37 gusting 40 knots up here, so huey is spreading his love all across the Tasman. Swell is only 2m with short period because of the strong wind. Found our happy place angle of attack to minimise slamming at around 7 knots, Any faster and launch velocity increases slamming on landing.

Salada and cheese snack followed by my fave boat food, diced peaches.
Going to be a long next couple of days so more sleep banking has priority.
Solo TransTasman Yacht Challenge

02/06/2026

and an hour later repair completed.
Now back on the gas hard on the nose in 25, gusting 32 knot wind polling 7-8 in reasonable comfort.