This is a passage race taking up to 2 weeks to make the trip depending on conditions and vessel.
The prestigious PONANT Noumea yacht Race was held in 2018 and will once again be conducted in 2020. Following a sojourn of over 20 years, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia had re-introduced the Sydney Noumea Yacht Race in 2018.
The Track:
The race track is 1,064nm from Sydney Harbour Australia to Noumea in New Caledonia. Conditions can be variable and includes crossing the East Australia current which can be quite strong in both directions with initial warm currents coming down the coast and cold currents up.
Fleet:
After a 20 year gap, a fleet of 24 is quite a number.
Race organisation:
CYCA & Cercle Nautique Caeldonien
The race is organised and conducted by the CYCA, with the co-operation of the Cercle Nautique Caeldonien, the 1,064 nautical mile race will start on Sydney Harbour on Saturday, 6 June 2020.
Official site for more details: http://noumea.cyca.com.au/news/?format=photo
Challengers:
This is a Category 1 race.
On arrival you may notice that the locals speak French.
Long passages require careful planning and backup’s to be in place for many and varied equipment, tools and components of any vessel to manage the varied events that may occur. This race can be extremely taxing on sleep.
Opportunities
This race links with several other races to arrive in Noumea which allow for the round Noumea Groupama to be completed which is another 654nm. https://groupamarace.nc/english
Travel
This race presents a unique opportunity to transition between countries of varied cultures and languages. The arrival puts you into a picturesque Island paradise.
Due to the size of the Islands and the requirements for many items to be imported, the prices may be higher than expected. Although it is a French Territory, it has its own currency [The pacific Franc – also used in Tahiti.] New Caledonia brings the promise of fine weather, sunshine and tropical warmth. However, New Caledonia does have real seasons, unlike tropical countries closer to the equator. The weather is significantly seasonally dependent and can include quite heavy rains through to warm. The temperatures can also be cold.
Power supplies are European and 220Vac which may require an adapter.
If you are into nature, would will find opportunities to experience some excellent dive locations and also many and varied plant species along the coast.
Safety:
Generally this location is a very safe tourist destination but try and avoid driving at night and locking your car before heading on walks in the bush areas. You may encounter hostility if you are disrespectful to the local culture and customs. Many local tribes will be friendly and hospitable if you first ask permission to enter customary lands.
Health:
Local health care is of a standard that you would expect of any developed country. There are state of the art medical centres with equipment and expertise. Emergency aircraft service more remote locations off the main island if the local infrastructure needs support.
No vaccinations are required for a stay in New Caledonia but we recommend you ensure your standard vaccinations are up-to-date (DTP, hepatitis B). Typhoid and hepatitis A vaccines are optional.
Mosquito bites can be dangerous. Although New Caledonia is free from malaria, other infectious diseases (dengue, chikungunya and zika viruses) can be spread by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes (particularly Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a known vector of several viruses) are most prevalent from November to April but never completely disappear from New Caledonia, so you should protect yourself from mosquito bites whatever season you are staying in the country.
If you’re fond of fresh fish, you should take care what you eat. You can get ciguatera (locally known as “la gratte”) from eating some lagoon fish species. The risk of getting ciguatera if you eat fish in a restaurant is tiny but if you fancy cooking fresh fish bought at the market, it’s best to ask for advice from locals
Other than the usual sea life cautions with sea snakes, shellfish and coral abrasions there are no deadly venomous species found in New Caledonia
Health & Emergency information:
- Noumea Hospitals – Tel 25 66 66
- North Province Hospital Centre, Koumac – Tel 47 22 04
- Bourail (West) – Tel 44 11 64
- La Foa (West) – Tel 44 32 14
- Koné (North-West) – Tel 47 72 50
- Poindimié (North-East) – Tel 42 71 44
- Thio (South-East) – Tel 44 52 22
- Lifou island – Tel 45 12 12 or 45 12 79
- Isle of Pines – Tel 46 11 15
- Medical emergencies – 15
- Sea rescue – 16
- Police – 17
- Fire Brigade – 18
More details to come
| What would you rate this race? | |
| Race committee fast & helpful? | |
| Ease of getting a yacht ride | |
| Were sailors friendly & supportive | |
| Did you have fun? | |
| Was it a fun location for non sailors? | |
| What was entertainment like? | |
| Cost? 1=cheap 5=Expensive | |
|
Average
|
|
|
|
| What would you rate this race? | |
| Race committee fast & helpful? | |
| Ease of getting a yacht ride | |
| Were sailors friendly & supportive | |
| Did you have fun? | |
| Was it a fun location for non sailors? | |
| What was entertainment like? | |
| Cost? 1=cheap 5=Expensive | |
|
Average
|
|
