How the Pointscore works

How the Pointscore works

The Blue Water Pointscore isn't decided in a single race — it's built across an entire season. Every race counts. Points accumulate from July through to December, with the overall champion only crowned after the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. To win, you have to commit to the whole journey.

What you're racing for

Points accrued across the six races determine the winners of four separate pointscores:

Overall IRC
Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore
Jack Halliday Perpetual Trophy
Overall PHS
Tasman Performance Series
Overall Scratch
Bass & Flinders Series
Women's
Wild Rose Pointscore
Min. 25% female crew

The Six Races

R1

Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

Saturday 25 July  384 nautical miles · Category 2

The season opener. From Nielsen Park on Sydney Harbour to the Gold Coast skyline — 384 nautical miles past Cape Byron Lighthouse, the most eastern point of Australia. The first points on the board, and a long way to go.

R2

Flinders Islet Race

Saturday 26 September  88 nautical miles · Category 3+

Two months after the Gold Coast, racing resumes close to home. The fleet heads south to Flinders Islet, about one nautical mile east of Port Kembla Harbour, Wollongong, before returning to Sydney Harbour.

R3

Tollgate Islands Race

Friday 16 October  260 nautical miles · Category 2

The third longest race in the Series. Starting Friday evening, the fleet heads south to Tollgate Islands off Batemans Bay before returning to the finish line off Watsons Bay. Ideal preparation for the longer offshore campaigns ahead.

R4

Bird Island Race

Saturday 14 November  83 nautical miles · Category 3+

The shortest race in the Series. North to Bird Island, around three nautical miles northeast of Norah Head, then back to Sydney Harbour. Weather dependent, you might be back in your own bed by nightfall — but as any sailor knows, that's rarely how it goes.

R5

Cabbage Tree Island Race

Friday 4 December  172 nautical miles · Category 2

The last major warm-up before Hobart — and the ideal race to clock your Rolex Sydney Hobart qualifying miles. The fleet heads north on Friday evening to Cabbage Tree Island, just north of Port Stephens, before returning to Sydney Harbour. After this, there's only one race left.

R6
Non-discardable

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Friday 26 December  628 nautical miles · Category 1

This is where the Blue Water Pointscore is won or lost. The Rolex Sydney Hobart is the only non-discardable race in the Series — every other result can be dropped, but not this one. First place scores zero points. A strong result here is not optional; it's essential. The champion is crowned on the River Derwent.

Wild Rose Pointscore & youth sailors
The Wild Rose Pointscore celebrates crews with a minimum of 25% women on board. Boats with two women, two youth sailors (U23), or one of each may also carry an additional crew member beyond their IRC certificate — making it easier to bring new talent into offshore racing alongside experienced crew.