{"id":447954,"date":"2026-05-27T15:42:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T15:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/447954\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T15:42:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T15:42:42","slug":"solo-trans-tasman-2026-malcolm-dickson-leads-nz-fleet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/447954\/","title":{"rendered":"Solo Trans-Tasman 2026: Malcolm Dickson Leads NZ Fleet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kiwi veteran Malcolm Dickson is back to lead the charge across 1,200 unforgiving miles, as a new fleet takes on the legendary Solo Trans-Tasman \u2014 a race built on risk, endurance and raw nerve.<\/p>\n

At 79, Malcolm Dickson is not just back for another race \u2014 he is back to defend a legacy that stretches nearly half a century.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The oldest skipper in the fleet and the reigning champion will start as the early favourite when the Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge leaves Opua on Saturday (30 May), bound for Southport Yacht Club.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It will be his fourth attempt at the race, and, remarkably, it comes on the eve of his 80th birthday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

– Advertisement, article continues below –<\/p>\n

\"Parker<\/p>\n

\"1987<\/p>\n

1987 Lotus 9.5<\/p>\n

$60,000<\/p>\n

1987 | 1987 Lotus 9.5 ‘Decimal Point’ \u2014 Alan Wright’s iconic cruising design. Beautifully maintained, solar charging, new switchboard 2023, 18hp Volvo diesel, spacious cockpit. Ready to sail today. Lyttelton. NZD $60,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all felt we were pioneering something for the future,\u201d he recently told RNZ\u2019s The Detail, reflecting on his first race in 1978.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was very different in the days of celestial navigation from what it is now. The boats were a lot smaller and probably pretty primitive compared with some of them nowadays.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

That sense of pioneering still defines the event \u2014 now in its 15th edition \u2014 even as the boats, technology and preparation have evolved.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dickson\u2019s own yacht Sarau, which he designed and built, has been painstakingly refined again for 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

– Advertisement, article continues below –\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cComing from an earlier generation, I find this IT stuff and communications and all this weather mapping stuff pretty intimidating. I do my best to understand it all.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

He has also stripped weight wherever possible in search of marginal gains.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a two-page list of items on the hit list,\u201d he told The Detail. \u201cIt\u2019s interesting when you start to unload a boat \u2026 each item weighs almost nothing, and you stack them in a fish bin and find you can hardly lift it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

For all the upgrades, the philosophy remains unchanged. \u201cI\u2019ve always felt that no matter how bad the conditions, one way or another, we\u2019ll get through.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Malcolm Dickson won the 2023 Solo Trans-Tasman aboard Sarau. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n

That mindset links the modern race back to its origins. The Solo TransTasman Yacht Challenge was dreamed up at a New Plymouth Yacht Club AGM in the late 1960s, when a small group of sailors \u2014 Howard Vosper, Dennis Lobb and Phillip Goodsell \u2014 decided it was time to take on the Tasman Sea alone. At the time, the only comparable race in the world was the Observer Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race. With backing from legendary solo sailor Francis Chichester, the concept became reality, and the first fleet set sail in 1970. No GPS. No AIS. No chartplotters. Just sextants, instinct, and nerve.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Tasman has been testing that question ever since. In 1974, 10 sailors \u2014 eight New Zealanders and two Australians \u2014 left New Plymouth for Mooloolaba. Nine finished. Bill Belcher took line honours aboard Raha in 11 days and 2 hours, having downplayed his chances beforehand.<\/p>\n

History, however, belonged to Annette Wilde. Sailing Valya, she became the first woman in the world to complete a single-handed offshore race, finishing fifth after more than two weeks at sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Four years later, in 1978, the race delivered both triumph and survival. Pat Costello claimed line honours aboard Chubasco, while a young Dickson \u2014 in his first attempt \u2014 won on handicap with Spindrift of Nelson, a boat he had designed and built himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n

– Advertisement, article continues below –<\/p>\n

\"Parker<\/p>\n

\"1964<\/p>\n

1964 10m Dutch Vlet Canal Boat<\/p>\n

$150,000<\/p>\n

1964 | 10.00 m | 1964 10m Dutch Vlet ‘Johanna’ \u2014 a rare, beautifully refitted classic canal boat in Lyttelton. Steel hull, 80hp Perkins diesel, 4 berths. Timeless Dutch craftsmanship, extensively upgraded. NZD $150,000.<\/p>\n

But Cyclone Hal tore through the fleet. Boats were rolled, dismasted and abandoned. Bill Belcher was shipwrecked and rescued 28 days later from Middleton Reef. One yacht was rolled three times. Another limped home under jury rig. Costello described one moment as his boat was knocked flat by a breaking sea: \u201cI saw my boat go over and the mast disappear into the sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw this steep 15\u201320\u2019 wave coming from far off and knew there was nothing I could do.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

\u201cI gripped the yacht, looked up, and thought what a great day it was, while the yacht popped back up and continued on its way. I was very impressed, actually.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite the chaos, all competitors survived. Calls to ban solo racing followed \u2014 but so did a surge in entries. By 1986, the race produced one of its most extraordinary performances. Ian Johnson, sailing Bullfrog Sunblock, crossed the Tasman in just 6 days and 8 hours, a record that would stand for 28 years. He averaged more than eight knots across 1,284 nautical miles, pushing himself to the edge of endurance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He rarely slept more than 15 minutes at a time. At one point, he went 36 hours without sleep and began hallucinating, convinced he had torn a massive hole in his spinnaker \u2014 damage that did not exist when he inspected it back on land.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That same race featured Kay Cottee, the only woman in the fleet who finished fifth before going on to circumnavigate the globe and become Australian Yachtsperson of the Year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It also marked the first appearance of Graeme Francis, who finished 11th and declared solo sailing was not for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Decades later, he is back again in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Because once the Tasman gets under your skin, it never really lets go. This year\u2019s fleet of 15 reflects that same pull \u2014 a mix of veterans and first-timers, New Zealand and Australian sailors, monohulls and multihulls, all drawn to the same stretch of ocean.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sharon Ferris-Choat (Vixen Racing) is the sole woman in this year\u2019s fleet. Photo \/ Live Sail Die<\/p>\n

Among them are Sharon Ferris-Choat, after the late withdrawal of Samantha McGrath, now the only woman in the race; returning campaigners like Glen Jeffery and Bill Kidman; and first-time entrants chasing a long-held ambition, such as Peter Bourke.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For some, it is unfinished business.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For others, a lifelong dream.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For all, it is a test.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Solo Trans-Tasman is the ultimate sailing challenge,\u201d says Geoff Thorn, who returns to the race driven by the memory of his first crossing. And presiding over it all is Dickson, who won the 2023 edition in a little over 10 days.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

He is still refining, still racing, still chasing the edge of what is possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I wasn\u2019t doing it myself, I\u2019d be cruising with my wife,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For now, though, he will point Sarau north, round Cape Reinga, and out into the Tasman once more \u2014 a race against the fleet, the weather, and time itself.<\/p>\n

Meet the fleet<\/p>\n

Ben Ball (SSANZ)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Camellia\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Cav 36\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 11m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 19\u00a0<\/p>\n

Peter Bourke (Sandspit Yacht Club)<\/p>\n

Diablo\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Sparkman & Stephens\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 8.7m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 10\u00a0<\/p>\n

Guy Chester \u00a0(Tinaroo Sailing Club, Australia)<\/p>\n

Oceans Tribute\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Multihull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Crowther \u2013 Design #93\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 13.85m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 9\u00a0<\/p>\n

Malcolm Dickson (Opua Cruising Club)<\/p>\n

Sarau\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Dickson 55\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 16.82m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 7\u00a0<\/p>\n

Terry Dunn (Opua Cruising Club)<\/p>\n

Marara\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: S&S 34\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 10.23m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 12<\/p>\n

Peter Elkington (Southport Yacht Club, Australia)<\/p>\n

Pacman\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Young 11\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 11.17m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 6\u00a0<\/p>\n

Doug Esterman (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club)<\/p>\n

Fair Seasons\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Cav 39\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 11.9m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 1\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sharon Ferris-Choat (Bay of Islands Yacht Club)<\/p>\n

Vixen Racing\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Class 40\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 12.17m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 15\u00a0<\/p>\n

James Foster (Richmond River Sailing Club, Australia)<\/p>\n

Electron\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Multihull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Mumby 48\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 14.6m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 11\u00a0<\/p>\n

Graeme Francis (New Plymouth Yacht Club)<\/p>\n

Robbery\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Wilson 36\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 10.97m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 17<\/p>\n

Glen Jeffery (SSANZ)<\/p>\n

Wave\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Grand Soleil 50\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 15.0m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 4\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bill Kidman (Opua Cruising Club)<\/p>\n

Pretty Boy Floyd\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"2026Photo credit: Yachting New Zealand<\/p>\n

Design: Ross 12m\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 12.2m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 5\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kevin Le Poidevin (Port Stephens Yacht Club, Australia)<\/p>\n

Roaring Forty\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

Design: 1997 Lutra BOC Open 40\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 12.2m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 14\u00a0<\/p>\n

Peter Nobbs (Opua Cruising Club)<\/p>\n

Smoko\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

Design: BandG 36\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 11.0m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 8\u00a0<\/p>\n

Geoff Thorn (Lowry Bay Yacht Club)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Catnip\u00a0<\/p>\n

Category: Monohull\u00a0<\/p>\n

Design: Beneteau First 45\u00a0<\/p>\n

LOA: 14m\u00a0<\/p>\n

Race number: 18<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kiwi veteran Malcolm Dickson is back to lead the charge across 1,200 unforgiving miles, as a new fleet…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":447955,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[228280,111,43,139,69,223319,228281,228282,228283,35929,228284,223320,223321],"class_list":["post-447954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-malcolm-dickson","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-nz-sailing","tag-opua","tag-sarau","tag-solo-trans-tasman","tag-southport","tag-trans-tasman-sailing","tag-yachting-new-zealand","tag-ynz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447954","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=447954"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447954\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/447955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=447954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=447954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=447954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}