sydney to hobart yacht fleet list

• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart - Entries close with 120 teams

Related Articles

• Visit our Facebook page
• Visit our Instagram profile
• Visit our Twitter feed
• Visit our YouTube channel

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Entries Open

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is pleased to welcome entries for eligible yachts for the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The 78th edition of the historic 628 nautical mile classic will start on Sydney Harbour at 1pm on Tuesday 26 December 2023. An international and highly competitive fleet is expected to participate this year following the success of what has been described as a ‘Classic Hobart’ in 2022 which saw 109 entrants on the starting line – the first race not heavily impacted by border restrictions since the 75th Anniversary race in 2019. A tightly contested upwind start on Sydney Harbour was followed by a fast run down the NSW coastline before the main fleet experienced challenging conditions and strong breeze as they approached Hobart. Sam Haynes’ TP52 Celestial was the Overall Winner of the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart. John Winning Jr’s 100ft maxi Andoo Comanche took Line Honours in a time of 1 day, 11 hours, 56 minutes. Both are expected to defend their titles in 2023. Eight international boats from across the globe competed in 2022, including  Caro,  (winner of the 2022 Australian Championships and Division 1 at Les Voiles de St Barthes),  Warrior Won,  (Winner 2022 RORC Caribbean 600), and Sunrise,  (Winner of the 2022 Rolex Fastnet Race and 2nd in the Rolex Middle Sea Race). Nineteen boats competed as two-handed entries with Ruper Henry’s Lombard 34 Mistral taking IRC honours.   Arthur Lane, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, said: “We expect a strong fleet to contest the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart with the prospect of our many local racing teams from all states of Australia being joined by a world-class group of international entrants. There has already been early interest shown by overseas teams. “The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia once again extends its warm appreciation to Rolex for its ongoing support of the Race and sailing globally as well as to our many valued race partners including our good friends at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania as Race Finishing Partner.” Entries for the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart close at 1700hrs on Friday 27 October 2023. NOTICE OF RACE RACE ENTRY

CYCA Principal Sponsor

Cyca official sponsors, helly hansen, club marine, income asset management, sydney brewery, lgt crestone, the luxury collection, winnings appliances, roads and maritime services, cyca youth sailing academy sponsors and supporters, helly hansen, forecasts.global, vibe hotels, network marine, sun foundation.

• Advertise in AFLOAT

A competitive fleet set for the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Main photo: Celestial – Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2021. Photo by Andrea Francolini

A diverse fleet, including multiple former winners, will take on the 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day.

One hundred and thirteen boats are entered for the 78 th  running of Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s (CYCA) famous race, which begins on Sydney Harbour at 1 PM on Tuesday 26 December.

There are 10 international entrants: from New Zealand ( Allegresse,   Caro  and  Niksen ), Hong Kong ( Antipodes  and  SHK Scallywag ), New Caledonia ( Eye Candy ), USA ( Lenny ), France ( Teasing Machine ), Germany ( Rockall 8 ), and Ireland ( Cinnamon   Girl ).

Australia is represented across all six states, with New South Wales home to 60 entries, while Queensland fields 18, Victoria 15, Tasmania 7, Western Australia 2, and South Australia 1.

Four 100-foot maxis will likely vie for Line Honours this year – four-time winner  Andoo Comanche  which took Line Honours in 2022 and holds the race record of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds as  LDV Comanche  for Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant (2017),  Law Connect , which placed second last year and won the John H Illingworth Challenge Cup as first across the line back in 2016 as  Perpetual LOYAL ,  SHK Scallywag , and  Wild Thing 100 , the recently modified Botin 80  Stefan Racing . 

On his competition,  Andoo Comanche  skipper John Winning Jr. said, “ Scallywag  [didn’t race last year] is an unknown quantity, but I believe Witty [David Witt] has the boat in the best shape ever.  Law Connect  broke the record in 2016 [ as Perpetual LOYAL ] so they have a phenomenal boat.”

“Grant Wharington’s  Wild Thing  is another unknown. Wharo is working around the clock to get the boat finished. He is a determined man so I’m sure he will have the boat ready to go.”

Sam Haynes and the crew of his TP52  Celestial  are back to defend the coveted Tattersall Cup awarded in 2022 as Overall winner under IRC on corrected time.

On whether he can win the race again or not, Haynes said “TP52s seem to fit the race, then you need skilled sailors with the personalities to match. You need confidence too and I’m going to put my best foot forward”.

The competition for the major prize will be hotly contested this year with eight mini maxis and nine TP52s and other 52-foot racers as well as a range of smaller boats across all divisions, including two-handed, that could be up for the challenge if conditions favour them. 

Five other past Overall winners are racing this year:

• Alive  (2018)
• Bumblebee V  (2001)
• Love & War  (1974, 1978, 2006), one of only three yachts to have won Overall on three separate occasions ( Freya, Love & War,   and  Ichi Ban )
• Christina,  winner of the 1946 Sydney Hobart
• Wild Oats / Wild Rose , won in 1993 and 2014 respectively

Twenty Two-Handed entries are competing. Rupert Henry returns as the 2022 Two-Handed Division winner with his Lombard 34  Mistral .

Henry describes sailing Hobart two-handed, “We only manage around 4 hours max of sleep each. We know when each other needs to crash so we do it then.”

“I don’t prefer two-handed sailing, but I’m just enjoying trying to reach my full potential with just two people racing it.” 

Jules Hall, who won the inaugural Two-Handed Division in 2021 with Jan Scholten on  Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth , will be campaigning the J/99 fully-crewed this year and has put together a strong team comprised of CYCA’s Youth Sailing Academy sailors – a mix of both experienced and first-timers. 

Once again, there will be a large number of women sailors competing.

Lisa Callaghan, who owns the Sydney 38  Mondo  with Stephen Teudt, returns to the race in 2023 with unfinished business after retiring  Mondo  last year with a broken gooseneck.

Of the 113 entrants, seven were only built this year and 33 were constructed before 2000. The oldest entrant is Ena Ladd’s  Christina , built in 1932. She is returning after 77 years having done just the one race in 1946.

One of the older boats, Robert Williams’ 1960-built  Sylph VI , makes a return to the Sydney Hobart for the first time in 51 years after having competed five times back in the 1960s and early ‘70s. 

From the four 100-foot maxis through to the three 30-footers –  Currawong ,  Niksen  and  Gun Runner , the fleet will take the line on Boxing Day to add another chapter to the race’s rich history. They will join the 6,407 boats that have competed since 1945 when nine boats took on the challenge to race to Hobart from Sydney Harbour. 

CYCA Commodore, Arthur Lane, took the opportunity to thank Rolex, Race Finishing Partner the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and the event’s many partners for their continued support.

The Boxing Day start of the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will be broadcast live on the Seven Network throughout Australia and live-and-on-demand on the 7Plus app. 

Internationally, the race will be available through YouTube on  CYCATV  or on Facebook  Rolex Sydney Hobart page . 

For the full list of entries and more information about the race, visit  rolexsydneyhobart.com . 

• Latest edition of Afloat Magazine
• Subscribe to Afloat Magazine
• Merchandise
• Tips for Selling Your Boat
• Boat Reviews
• Marine Directory
• Classifieds
• International
• News & Events

SIGN UP Today

to our eNewsletter for your chance to WIN!

• Place an Ad

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers rescue ready for Easter long weekend

A competitive fleet set for 2023 rolex sydney hobart yacht race.

A diverse fleet, including multiple former winners, will take on the 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. One hundred and thirteen boats are entered for the 78th running of Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s famous race, which begins tomorrow on Sydney Harbour at 1 PM (Tuesday 26 December).

A diverse fleet, including multiple former winners, will take on the 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day.

One hundred and thirteen boats are entered for the 78th running of Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s (CYCA) famous race, which begins on Sydney Harbour at 1 PM on Tuesday 26 December.

There are 10 international entrants : from New Zealand (Allegresse, Caro and Niksen), Hong Kong (Antipodes and SHK Scallywag), New Caledonia (Eye Candy), USA (Lenny), France (Teasing Machine), Germany (Rockall 8), and Ireland (Cinnamon Girl).

Australia is represented across all six states , with New South Wales home to 60 entries, while Queensland fields 18, Victoria 15, Tasmania 7, Western Australia 2, and South Australia 1.

Four 100-foot maxis will likely vie for Line Honours this year – four-time winner Andoo Comanche which took Line Honours in 2022 and holds the race record of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds as LDV Comanche for Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant (2017), Law Connect, which placed second last year and won the John H Illingworth Challenge Cup as first across the line back in 2016 as Perpetual LOYAL, SHK Scallywag, and Wild Thing 100, the recently modified Botin 80 Stefan Racing.

On his competition, Andoo Comanche skipper John Winning Jr. said, “Scallywag [didn’t race last year] is an unknown quantity, but I believe Witty [David Witt] has the boat in the best shape ever. Law Connect broke the record in 2016 [as Perpetual LOYAL] so they have a phenomenal boat.”

“Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing is another unknown. Wharo is working around the clock to get the boat finished. He is a determine man so I’m sure he will have the boat ready to go.”

Sam Haynes and the crew of his TP52 Celestial are back to defend the coveted Tattersall Cup awarded in 2022 as Overall winner under IRC on corrected time.

On whether he can win the race again or not, Haynes said “TP52s seem to fit the race, then you need skilled sailors with the personalities to match. You need confidence too and I’m going to put my best foot forward”.

The competition for the major prize will be hotly contested this year with eight mini maxis and nine TP52s and other 52-foot racers as well as a range of smaller boats across all divisions, including two-handed, that could be up for the challenge if conditions favour them.

Five other past Overall winners are racing this year :

• Alive (2018)
• Bumblebee V (2001)
• Love & War (1974, 1978, 2006), one of only three yachts to have won Overall on three separate occasions (Freya, Love & War, and Ichi Ban)
• Christina, winner of the 1946 Sydney Hobart
• Wild Oats/Wild Rose, won in 1993 and 2014 respectively

Twenty Two-Handed entries are competing . Rupert Henry returns as the 2022 Two-Handed Division winner with his Lombard 34 Mistral.

Henry describes sailing Hobart two-handed, “We only manage around 4 hours max of sleep each. We know when each other needs to crash so we do it then.”

“I don’t prefer two-handed sailing, but I’m just enjoying trying to reach my full potential with just two people racing it.”

Jules Hall, who won the inaugural Two-Handed Division in 2021 with Jan Scholten on Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth, will be campaigning the J/99 fully-crewed this year and has put together a strong team comprised of CYCA’s Youth Sailing Academy sailors – a mix of both experienced and first-timers.

Once again, there will be a large number of women sailors competing.

Lisa Callaghan, who owns the Sydney 38 Mondo with Stephen Teudt, returns to the race in 2023 with unfinished business after retiring Mondo last year with a broken gooseneck.

Of the 113 entrants, seven were only built this year and 33 were constructed before 2000. The oldest entrant is Ena Ladd’s Christina, built in 1932. She is returning after 77 years having done just the one race in 1946.

One of the older boats, Robert Williams’ 1960-built Sylph VI, makes a return to the Sydney Hobart for the first time in 51 years after having competed five times back in the 1960s and early ‘70s.

From the four 100-foot maxis through to the three 30-footers – Currawong, Niksen and Gun Runner, the fleet will take the line on Boxing Day to add another chapter to the race’s rich history. They will join the 6,407 boats that have competed since 1945 when nine boats took on the challenge to race to Hobart from Sydney Harbour.

CYCA Commodore, Arthur Lane, took the opportunity to thank Rolex, Race Finishing Partner the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and the event’s many partners for their continued support.

The Boxing Day start of the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will be broadcast live on the Seven Network throughout Australia and live-and-on-demand on the 7Plus app.

Internationally, the race will be available through YouTube on CYCATV or Rolex Sydney Hobart Facebook.

For a detailed list of information for each entrance, visit rolexsydneyhobart.com .

List of entrants

Legend for the following list of entrants = (yacht name – sail number – origin – type).

• Advantedge – PD147 – TAS – Inglis 47
• Alive – 52566 – TAS – Reichel Pugh 66
• Allegresse (TH) – NZL5206 – New Zealand – Bruce Clarke 42
• Allegro – 6723 – NSW – Warwick 67
• Amazingrace – SYD8 – NSW – Swan Class 45
• Andoo Comanche – CAY007 – NSW – VPLP /Verdier Maxi 100ft
• Antipodes – GBR2888L – Hong Kong – Santa Cruz 72
• Arcadia – S17 – VIC – Archambault 40 RC
• Atomic Blonde – R1180 – WA – Jpk 11.80
• Avalanche (TH)- 2400 – NSW – Hick 40
• Azzurro – 3430 – QLD – S&S 34
• Bacardi – SM377 – VIC – Peterson 44
• Blue Planet (TH) – AUS110 – NSW – J99
• Bumblebee V – 7441 – NSW – Murray-Dovell-Burns 62
• Calibre 12 – 7777 – NSW – Cookson 12
• Caro – CAY52 – New Zealand – Botin 52
• Carrera S – AUS49005 – VIC – Marten 49
• Celestial – 9535 – NSW – TP 52
• Chutzpah – R33 – VIC – Caprice 40
• Ciao Bella – SM888 – NSW – Hanse 505
• Cinnamon Girl – Eden Capital (TH) – 3375 – Ireland – Sunfast 3300
• Cinquante – 5038 – NSW – Sydney 38
• Clockwork – 3838 – SA – Sydney 38
• Currawong (TH) – 7374 – NSW – Currawong 30
• Cyan Moon – B47 – VIC – Beneteau Oceanis 473
• Denali – 52569 – NSW – TP52
• Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth – AUS99 – NSW – J/99
• Enigma – GBR5790R – NSW – Beneteau First 47.7
• Extasea – G10007 – VIC – Cookson 50
• Eye Candy – FRA-9777 – New Caledonia – Sydney 38
• Flying Cloud – 6808 – NSW – Beneteau First 40
• Flying Fish Arctos – 7551 – NSW – McIntyre 55
• Frantic – GBR5211L – NSW – TP52 Donovan
• Georgia Express – 6333 – NSW – Mumm 36
• Gunshot – NZL8425 – NSW – Elliot 52
• Hansen Tasmania – 603 – TAS – Buizen 48
• Helsal 3 – 262 – NSW – Adams 20
• Highly Sprung – 8108 – NSW – TP52
• Hutchies Yeah Baby – A5 – QLD – Welbourn 50
• Imalizard (TH) – 6893 – NSW – Welbourn 12
• Insomnia – 65007 – NSW – JV 42
• Kraken 111 (TH) – D3300 – TAS – Jeanneau Sunfast 3300
• LawConnect – SYD1000 – NSW – Juan K 100 Custom
• Lenny – USA44444 – USA – Beneteau First 44
• Lightning – 095 – NSW – Bakewell-White 40
• Love & War – 294 – NSW – S&S 47
• Luna Blue – 7809 – NSW – Beneteau First 45
• Mako – N40 – NSW – Sydney 40
• Maritimo 52 – SYC52 – QLD – Tp52
• Maritimo 54 – USA16 – QLD – Schumacher 54
• Mayfair – M16 – QLD – Rogers 46
• Merit – 8679 – QLD – Volvo Ocean 60
• Midnight Rambler – ST36 – TAS – Sydney 36
• Millennium Falcon – M888 – NSW – Sparkman And Stephens 39
• Min River (TH) – AUS888 – NSW – Jpk10.30
• Minnie – 424 – NSW – Jones 42
• Mister Lucky (TH) – RQ3600 – QLD – Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600
• Mistral (TH) – 1 – NSW – Lombard 34
• Mondo – 5656 – NSW – Sydney 38
• Moneypenny – AUS 1 – NSW – Reichal Pugh 69
• MRV – SYD5 – VIC – Frers 61
• MWF Kayle – 7878 – NSW – Lyons 54
• Navy One – 0404 – NSW – Beneteau First 40
• Niksen (TH) – NZL30040 – New Zealand – Dehler 30 Od
• No Limit – AUS 98888 – NSW – Reichel Pugh 63
• Ocean Crusaders J-Bird – OC52 – QLD – TP52
• Oroton Drumfire – CAY6536 – NSW – Hoek Tc78
• Pacman (TH) – 110 – QLD – Young 11
• Patriot – SM133 – VIC – J133
• Philosopher (TH) – 20 – NSW – Sydney 36 CR
• Pretty Woman – 545 – NSW – IC 45 MOD
• Ragtime – RQ130 – NSW – J/130
• Rockall 8 – R62 – Germany – Jpk 10.80
• Rum Rebellion (TH) – 1808 – NSW – J/99
• Rush – B45 – VIC – Farr 45
• Salt Lines – GBR5672L – NSW – Shipwright 70
• She – 4924 – QLD – Olsen 40
• She’s The Culprit – 370 – NSW – Inglis/Jones 39 Mod.
• SHK Scallywag – HKG2276 – Hong Kong – Dovell 100
• Showdown (TH) – 8338 – QLD – Ker 40
• Silver Fern – NZL6702 – QLD – Birdsall 72
• Smuggler – 6952 – NSW – JV TP52
• Solera – G1350 – VIC – Elliott 1350 Tourer
• Son of a Son – MH31 – QLD – Farr 1104
• Sticky – A164 – NSW – Cookson 50
• Supernova – 6499 – NSW – Sydney 36
• Sylph VI (TH) – 1019 – NSW – Custom Alan Payne Sloop
• Teasing Machine – FRA8668 – France – NMYD 54
• Tenacity – 2208 – TAS – Mills 41
• Tilting at Windmills – AUS117 – VIC – Joubert Mod. 42
• Toecutter – R1111 – VIC – Hick 10
• Tumbleweed (TH) – AUS077 – NSW – Jeanneau Sunfast 3300
• URM Group – AUS72 – NSW – Reichel Pugh Maxi 72
• Verite (TH) – 4411 – NSW – J99
• Voltstar Yeah Baby – 112 – NSW – Akilaria Rc2
• Whisper – AUS13 – NSW – JV 62
• White Noise – SM1245 – VIC – M.A.T 1245
• Wild Oats – 4343 – NSW – Farr 43
• Wild Thing 100 – AUS100 – QLD – Maxi
• Wings – 07 – NSW – Dehler 46
• Wyuna – R3600 – WA – Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600
• XS Moment BNMH – 11744 – NSW – XP44
• Zephyr Insurance Masters – HKG1943 – TAS – Farr 41 Mx

Subscribe to our Newsletter

" * " indicates required fields

In other news...

Ladar Limited plugs critical maritime security ‘detection gap’ and seeks investor(s)

Marina Industries Association announces environmental partnership with BMT

CP&A’s Seismic Upgrade Concept for Ship-to-Shore Cranes

• Photo Library
• Jobs Vacant
• Jobs Wanted

Yacht Mark Twain being refurbished in bid to compete in Sydney to Hobart race once more

For the better part of five decades, one yacht returned to the starting line of the Sydney to Hobart race more than any other.

The timber and fibreglass hulled Mark Twain was built in 1971 and has competed in the race a record-breaking 26 times.

But since its last effort in 2018, it has languished at port.

The yacht's new owner, Rob Payne, who refers to himself as the boat's custodian, has grand plans to refurbish the vessel, a Sparkman and Stephens 39, and return the Mark Twain to its former glory.

Although he hopes to return the boat to the starting line of the Sydney to Hobart, he also believes the yacht can be used for a greater good.

Along with Beaconsfield mine disaster survivor Brant Webb , Mr Payne has plans to establish a group called Old Saltys, which will aim to use sailing as a vessel to empower youth through sharing knowledge.

"Sailing is a metaphor for life. You've got to trim your sails and set your course and you're gonna get buffeted around," he said.

The Old Salty's motto will be 'well-weathered wisdom', and the men believe they have a lot of life experience they can share with young people anywhere Mark Twain can sail.

Mine collapse survivor finds solace on the sea

Brant Webb, who was one of two miners rescued after spending 14 days trapped almost a kilometre underground when a Tasmanian mine collapsed in 2006, says sailing helped him after the ordeal.

"After Beaconsfield, if I was having a bad day I'd call up the GP and he'd say 'get the boat ready, we're going sailing'.

"I've been sailing since I was eight years old. All my life. That's the great thing about it, you can turn your phone off out there and no-one can find you."

Mr Webb said the Old Saltys group was intended for "sailors who are too old to race and too young to cruise".

"It gives us old folk a new lease on life. The whole thing is to connect people, to put the unity in community, which we lost during COVID."

Mr Payne, a recent transplant from New Zealand, said he was heartbroken by the condition of the Mark Twain when he first found it in 2020.

"When I saw it, it broke my heart," he said, adding that he had the opportunity to "do something about" refurbishing the "old girl".

"We're only ever the custodians of these extraordinary vessels."

Once a fine racing yacht, the Mark Twain had fallen into disrepair in port at George Town in recent years.

From its first entry in the Sydney to Hobart in 1971, the boat long held the steadily increasing record for the greatest number of entries in the iconic race, even managing to clinch podium finishes for its class on several occasions.

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it competed in more than 20 Sydney to Hobart races, and in 2002 became the first-ever boat to have sailed in 25.

"Thousands of men and women have sailed on this beautiful vessel," Mr Payne said.

It was bought and refurbished for its 26th entry by veteran Sydney to Hobart skipper Michael Spies in 2018, but that was the last time it took part.

Mr Payne spent several months last year refurbishing the boat's hull himself and on Wednesday, March 27, the mast and boom were removed to be restored by a Beauty Point shipwright.

Along with Mr Webb, he hopes to take the Mark Twain around Tasmania, Australia and New Zealand and share their knowledge of the seas.

"My encouragement to youth is to get into sailing and you know, become part of the community within those sailing clubs," Mr Payne said.

"You don't necessarily have to own a huge boat … you can be in a little sabot [dinghy] and have that experience on the water. It's life changing and transformational."

He is keen to share the refurbishment project with anyone who wants to be involved and hopes the Mark Twain will sail again in the next two to three years.

• X (formerly Twitter)
• Beaconsfield
• Mental Health

Local news:

Sign up to newsletters from 7NEWS

Rolex sydney hobart fleet bracing for ‘severe’ weather from the start.

Sydney Hobart race set to sail

The Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet is bracing for the possibility of thunderstorms from the beginning of the bluewater classic.

Hobart veteran Iain Murray has predicted the conditions will be especially testing for the four 100ft supermaxi yachts jostling for line honours.

After a week of variability in the forecast, the Bureau of Meteorology warned the fleet of 103 boats that storms were expected to begin forming on the afternoon of December 26.

Light easterly winds are expected for the start of the race, which begins on Sydney Harbour at 1pm, with thunderstorms likely south of Jervis Bay.

Sudden and erratic wind changes, hail, rain and reduced visibility are all on the cards across the first two days of racing.

Easterly winds as strong as 35 knots are forecast for the far NSW coast on the night of Boxing Day and could impact the bigger boats in the fleet.

“What we’re looking at today is that trough forming over the eastern part of NSW,” said BOM senior meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse.

“There is a potential for severe thunderstorms building up over the land and that also means that we could see those conditions over the water.”

Winds will remain strong across the Bass Strait and southeast Tasmania on the morning of December 28, with storms a chance to continue affecting smaller boats.

Andoo Comanche’s sailing master Iain Murray predicted the stormy conditions would pose unique challenges for the four 100ft supermaxis jostling to reach Hobart first.

“We don’t like thunderstorms,” Murray said.

“We get wet but it’s also very volatile for the wind.

“These big 100 footers, you have big sails and little sails and changing them is quite a process so you have to be well ahead of the curve and plan for it.

“It’s not like a little boat where it’s just “bang”, change the sails. It’s a half-hour mission to rig the boat for whatever you get. These volatile conditions are really testing for the big boats.”

How to watch

The Rolex Sydney to Hobart will be on Seven and 7plus from 12:30pm AEDT on Boxing Day.

The race officially starts at 1pm AEDT with the traditional firing of a starting canon at Sydney Harbour.

Sydney to Hobart fleet

103 yachts have confirmed their participation for this year’s race. The full list of entrants can be found here .

Stream free on

Largest fleet to start the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Sydney to Hobart yacht race: fleet sets off under dark skies after heavy storm threatens start

• Weather forecast is for storms and strong winds across first two days
• LawConnect leads fleet across the start line in Sydney Harbour

The 78th edition of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race has begun under dark skies that threatened to be much worse as the scheduled start time approached.

Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds blanketed Sydney Harbour an hour before the 1pm AEDT start but cleared as the 103-vessel fleet jostled for position.

LawConnect timed their run best to lead early, with SHK Scallywag next across the start line as the fleet began their journey towards the heads.

The 2022 winner Andoo Comanche moved into second place as the four supermaxis rounded the first mark, but soon raised a protest against Scallywag after the boats came within metres of a collision.

Scallywag later completed a 720-degree penalty turn off the coast of Bondi Beach in a bid to avoid a possible time sanction.

Crowds lined the best vantage points along the shore all the way to the lighthouse at South Head, although with wet weather forecast the number of spectators was down on previous years.

Competitors in this year’s Sydney to Hobart have been warned to brace for choppy conditions as thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast for Australia’s biggest boat race.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast wild conditions, including heavy rainfall, lightning, poor visibility and potentially hail.

Sudden and erratic wind changes, hail, rain and reduced visibility are all on the cards across the first two days of racing, the bureau said.

Easterly winds as strong as 35 knots are forecast for the far NSW coast on the night of Boxing Day and could affect the bigger boats in the fleet.

“What we’re looking at today is that trough forming over the eastern part of NSW,” said senior meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse.

“There is a potential for severe thunderstorms building up over the land and that also means that we could see those conditions over the water.”

Iain Murray, the sailing master of Andoo Comanche, which took line honours last year, predicted the stormy conditions would pose unique challenges for the four 100ft supermaxis jostling to reach Hobart first.

“We don’t like thunderstorms,” Murray said. “We get wet but it’s also very volatile for the wind.

“These big 100 footers, you have big sails and little sails and changing them is quite a process so you have to be well ahead of the curve and plan for it.

“It’s not like a little boat where it’s just “bang”, change the sails. It’s a half-hour mission to rig the boat for whatever you get. These volatile conditions are really testing for the big boats.”

after newsletter promotion

Woodhouse said that as the low pressure system causing the severe weather moved further out to sea from Wednesday, racers could expect a more “predictable” race.

“We’ll be seeing those easterly winds through parts of the Bass Strait, down towards Tasmania. After that, things look more predictable, with south-westerly winds around Tasmania and the strait towards the second half of the week.”

The thunderstorms are expected to shape the early stages of the race along the NSW coast and through Bass Strait, with the quicker boats likely to see less of the storm compared with the rest of the pack.

“It really comes down to how quickly some of the boats can get down to Tasmania – the earlier they get there, the more likely it is they will see less of the risk associated with the storms,” Woodhouse said.

The storms were expected to be “intense”, Woodhouse said..

“We are looking at really quite gusty and erratic winds. So that can mean that the wind direction and speed will quickly change and increase by quite a lot. So it can be quite dangerous out on the water.

“Along with the risk of lightning, heavy rain, and a potential hailstorm, it really is quite a lot.”

More than 100 boats will compete in the 78th edition of the Sydney to Hobart race, organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

The fastest record for the roughly 1,170km journey was set by LDV Comanche , which finished the race in one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.

Last year the winning yacht, Andoo Comanche, crossed the finish line in one day, 11 hours, 56 minutes and 48 seconds.

• Sydney to Hobart yacht race
• Australia weather

Most viewed

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023

Exclusion Zone on Sydney Harbour for 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart start

• 21 Dec, 2023 04:07:00 PM

With a huge fleet of competing yachts and hundreds of spectator boats taking in the action, Sydney Harbour will be a hive of activity for the start of the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.  

An Exclusion Zone will be active from 12-2.20pm on Boxing Day, Monday 26 December.

A Special Event Area will also be active from 11.30am-2.20pm, requiring minimum wash and 6 knots of maximum speed.

Only competing yachts and approved vessels are permitted within the Exclusion Zone.

View the above map and visit the   Transport for NSW website   for more information. 

Congratulations to all the divisional winners of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023

PHOTOS | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Official Prizegiving

PHOTOS | Day 5 Morning - Tasman Island and Storm Bay

PHOTOS | Day 5 and Day 6 finishers

PHOTOS | Official Presentation of Tattersall Cup and Rolex Timepiece to the Overall Winner

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - A Race for the Ages

VIDEO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Rolex Daily Video Summary

VIDEO | Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023

VIDEO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Official Prizegiving

VIDEO | Race Update - 31 December Morning

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 10

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 9

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 8

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 7

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 6

• Line Honours

Full Standings available approximately three hours after the start.

OFFICIAL ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART MERCHANDISE

Shop the official clothing range of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.  

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited!