James sets sail on epic Trans-Tasman crossing
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Well-known Ballina environmental engineer and businessman James Foster is currently battling the Tasman Sea alone as part of one of the Southern Hemisphere’s toughest offshore yacht races.
Foster, 49, departed Opua, New Zealand, on Saturday aboard Electron, a 48-foot Mumby catamaran, as one of 15 entrants in the 2026 Solo TransTasman Yacht Race.
The demanding event covers 1,200 nautical miles between New Zealand and Queensland’s Gold Coast and is widely regarded as the premier single-handed offshore yacht race in the Southern Hemisphere.
For Foster, founder of Ballina-based environmental consultancy ENV Solutions, the race represents the culmination of years of offshore sailing experience and months of preparation.
“Crossing the Tasman solo is one of the purest tests of seamanship,” he said.
“It’s a privilege to take part in a race with such history and to do it in a way that reflects my values around safety, preparation and environmental responsibility.”
The fleet faces a challenging passage across one of the world’s most unpredictable stretches of ocean, navigating the Tasman Sea, the powerful East Australian Current and the approach to Southport while managing fatigue and changing weather conditions alone.
Foster recently completed a challenging qualifying passage, sailing solo and largely upwind from Australia to New Zealand to secure his place in the race.
His campaign also reflects his professional focus on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient onboard systems, advanced weather routing and renewable-powered vessel technology.
Depending on conditions, competitors can take anywhere between six and 14 days to complete the crossing, although the race allows up to 20 days for yachts to reach the finish line.
Family, friends and sailing enthusiasts can follow Foster’s progress online through a live tracking system as he makes his way across the Tasman.
Daily updates here:
https://www.youtube.com/@SoloTrans-TasmanYachtChallenge
James’ onboard tracker can be found at:
https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-Electron/
The race fleet tracker can be found at:
James makes a final check of the vessel Electron before setting off from NZ today.
