Australian Three Peaks Race

Three Peaks race yachts The first group of teams to to have their entries accepted for the 2027 race have now been published. This is another major step forward in the revival of this internationally recognised iconic race. After a lapse of 14 years the 2027 race will be the 26th edition of the race that was first conducted in 1989, running annually to 2013.

With the support of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, the event is looking forward to welcoming a new generation of competitors, volunteers and officials along with a generoushandful of previous competitors, to challenge the gruelling demands of seas and mountains around the spectacular coast of eastern Tasmania. No other adventure race in Australia compares with this epic challenging event.

An exciting range of yachts have been chosen for teams vying to be the first to finish the race after sailing 335 nautical miles with the team runners scaling the three mountains along the way, Mt Strzelecki, Mt Freycinet and kunanyi/Mt Wellington. On the water trimarans and catamarans will challenge a strong fleet of monohulls while the strength of the runners will be watched with great interest to compare run times with those of past races.

The race rules require teams of five, generally three sailors and two runners, to leave from Beauty Point on Good Friday sailing the first leg of 100 nautical miles to Lady Barron disembarking their runners to complete the first mountain run of 65 kilometres. Navigating the tricky waters of Franklin Sound and the beauty of Flinders Island the next sailing leg of 140 miles is the longest arriving at Coles Bay for the second running leg. After completing the Mt Freycinet run the next sailing leg to Hobart provides another change for teams to decide. Should the shorter course through the Denison Canal at Dunalley reducing the course by 30 miles instead of sailing round Tasman Island be taken with the challenge of limited opening hours, tides and adverse winds or take the longer but surer route.

After arriving at the historic Constitution Dock in Hobart, the runners have the final mountain climb of 33 kms to the summit of kunyanyi/Mt Wellington and return to complete the race, usually with most teams crossing the finish line on Easter Monday.

This demanding multisport endurance race engenders significant media interest and a great national and international following.

Race Legacy Continues at RYCT

The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania is proud to announce the next chapter of the legendary Australian Three Peaks Race, with long-time race founder and organiser Alastair Douglas OAM formally signing an agreement with the Club as stewardship of the event moves into a new era.

For decades, the Australian Three Peaks Race has stood as one of Tasmania's great endurance adventures, combining offshore yacht racing with mountain running across some of the state's most spectacular landscapes.

From Beauty Point to Flinders Island, Coles Bay and finally Hobart, competitors have tested themselves against Bass Strait, Tasmania's rugged mountains, weather systems and endurance limits in an event unlike any other in Australia.

Much of the event's success and longevity has come through the dedication of Alastair Douglas and the volunteer committee who built the race over many years, establishing a passionate community around the event and creating a legacy within Tasmanian sailing and adventure sport.

Now, with the support of The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, that legacy will continue.

Vice Commodore Rob Greenwell said the Club recognised the historical importance of the race and the opportunity to secure its future.

“The Australian Three Peaks Race is part of Tasmania's sporting and maritime history. We are honoured to work alongside Alastair Douglas and those involved in building the event, and we look forward to helping carry it forward into the future.”

RYCT General Manager Ed Bourchier said the event aligns strongly with the Club's vision for participation, adventure sailing and major event development.

“This race captures everything unique about Tasmania, offshore sailing, endurance, wilderness, regional communities and resilience. We see enormous potential in growing the event while respecting its heritage.”

The revived Australian Three Peaks Race is currently planned for Easter 2027 and has already generated strong interest from sailors, runners, volunteers, tourism operators and media organisations both within Tasmania and interstate.