yacht race start time

Sydney to Hobart yacht race — how to watch and what to look for

By James Dunlevie

By Chris Rowbottom

Topic: Sailing

Wild Oats XI is back for this year's race. ( Supplied: Wild Oats XI )

Since its beginning in 1945, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race has become one of the pinnacles for sailing competitors, with the event being a test of skill, teamwork, nautical engineering and tactics — with weather providing the wild card.

If you know what to look for, the race can be an enjoyable experience.

Here are some tips for getting the best out of it.

Things can get a little hectic on the water at the start. ( AAP: Daniel Forster/Rolex )

When does it start?

About 111 boats ranging from the supermaxis (longer than 20 metres) to smaller 30-footers (9 metres) will be ready to go at 1pm AEDT Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour.

The start is arguably one of the greatest spectacles in modern sport.

Once the starting cannon is fired, all teams will be gunning for The Heads and into the open water of the South Pacific, with competitors surrounded by all manner of craft.

Watch as boats come perilously close to the supermaxis.

The fleet then begins to make its way down the east coast of Australia to Hobart, a distance of approximately 630 nautical miles (1,166 kilometres).

The weather always plays a starring role in the Sydney to Hobart. ( Supplied )

What are they racing for?

It isn't money. Yes, you read that correctly — there is no prize money for the winners. 

Instead, they race for trophies in a number of categories , the main events for casual observers being Line Honours and Overall.

The first yacht across the line wins the JH Illingworth Trophy, but the overall winner on handicap wins the Tattersalls Cup.

The overall victory is considered the major prize for sailors and a testament to skill and tactics.

Most of the time, handicap honours are won by a smaller, slower boat, which outdoes its larger opposition when time is adjusted for size and other factors.

The reigning overall winner is Ichi Ban. It finished in 4 days, 10 hours, and 17 minutes.

This was after a protest against Celestial was upheld. Celestial was handed a 40-minute time penalty for not manning their radio for a 90-minute period, during which officials were trying to contact the team.

The reigning line honours winner is Black Jack, winning in two days, 12 hours, and 37 minutes in 2021. 

How can I watch it?

Race sponsor Rolex says the race can be watched on the Seven Network. 

7Mate will broadcast the start of the race live around Australia. Their coverage starts at 12:30pm (AEDT).

ABC TV will also provide updates throughout the event.

For those who can't watch the live broadcast of the start of the race on their TV, Seven will have a stream of the race.

You can also watch vision from the event on the Sydney to Hobart yacht race website .

The start of the 1955 Sydney to Hobart, with Phalarope leading. ( Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia )

If you are in Sydney and on the water, spectators who wish to watch the start but not follow the fleet are advised to stick to the "western side of the harbour".

Good vantage points for spectator boats include "Taylors Bay, Chowder Bay, Obelisk Bay and North Head on the west and Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, Camp Cove and South Head to the east".

According to organisers, the harbour will be "very crowded and traffic can be chaotic, so stay alert, follow the advice of race officials and remember to keep well clear of the exclusion zone between 12pm and 2pm".

How can I follow the boats online?

You can follow the race on an online tracker , which shows the positions of yachts as they move south.

The locations of yachts are transmitted by a GPS device on each vessel. 

As the race goes on, you can see the course charted by crews — unless of course the boat's GPS device gets switched off, rendering it invisible to spectators and other competitors — an accusation that was levelled at Wild Oats XI in 2018 by the owner of Black Jack.

You can follow the fortunes of teams with the Sydney to Hobart yacht race tracker. ( rolexsydneyhobart.com )

What should I look out for?

The weather forecast is for northerly winds in the harbour for Monday's start, which will favour the bigger boats. They will push hard to get out of the harbour.

Barring disaster, the Line Honours winner will almost certainly be one of the four super maxis.

LawConnect (formerly Perpetual LOYAL, formerly Investec LOYAL, formerly InfoTrack) set a new record in 2016 when it crossed the line in one day, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 12 seconds, a time since bettered by Comanche the next year.

Black Jack (Formerly Alfa Romeo II) has a strong Sydney to Hobart history and is the reigning Line Honours champion. It's had a strong 2022 already, taking line, record, and overall wins in the Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race. Black Jack has a strong rivalry with Wild Oats XI as it was the first boat to break Wild Oats' race record in 2009.

Comanche takes the lead over InfoTrack following the start of the Sydney to Hobart race in 2019. ( AAP: Dean Lewins )

Andoo Comanche is the hot favourite for line honours this year. It has already defeated Black Jack in the Sydney to Gold Coast race this year and has won the inaugural Tollgate Islands race. It beat Wild Oats for line honours in 2017, setting a race record in the process, but only after a controversial protest . 

Hamilton Island Wild Oats XI is the most famous boat in the race but has not participated since 2019 due to COVID. Veteran skipper Mark Richards will once again be at the helm and will be hoping to improve on the 3rd place finish in 2019. 

The favourites for the handicap trophy are Alive, URM Group, Moneypenny and Stefan Racing, with last year's winner, Ichi Ban, not participating.

This year there is also a number of crews made up of father-daughter or father-son teams.

Maritimo going hard in 2021. ( Rolex Sydney Hobart )

The yacht race is taken seriously for good reason — people have died when the weather has turned bad.

In 1998, six sailors died, five yachts sank, more than 60 yachts retired and 55 sailors had to be rescued by helicopter.

In 2015, a squall hit the fleet off the News South Wales coast, ending the race for 29 competitors.

Black Jack sails up the River Derwent early on December 29, 2021. ( ABC News: Luke Bowden )

When does the race finish?

The lines honours winner is likely to come in around 48 hours after the start, but this is very much dependent on the weather —  especially in the 22.2-kilometre final stretch up the Derwent River.

This is when the wind can drop away and it becomes an agonisingly slow crawl , with every trick in the book pulled out to speed the progress up the glassy waterway.

In 2021, Black Jack crossed the line at 1:37am on December 29, followed by LawConnect at 4:11am and SHK Scallywag about 20 minutes after that.

In 2019, Comanche came in at a more reasonable time of 7:30am on December 28, with InfoTrack about 45 minutes later.

Sydney to Hobart start time: When does the 2023 yacht race begin?

The annual Sydney Hobart yacht race is quickly approaching.

Last year, Celestial was declared the overall winner, while Andoo Comanche secured the line honours.

Will we have a new pair of victors in 2023?

The Sporting News  takes you through the key timings for the race.

Sydney to Hobart time: Start, schedule for 2023 yacht race

The 2023 edition of the Sydney Hobart yacht race will start at 1:00 p.m. AEDT on Boxing Day – Tuesday, December 26.

As per tradition, the race start will be signalled by the firing of a starting cannon. 

Where is the Sydney Hobart yacht race held?

Competitors will set off near Nielsen Park in Sydney Harbour, before making their way towards Sydney Heads. 

The yachts will then follow the east coast of Australia en route to the infamous Bass Strait. 

The finish line of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is located off Castray Esplanade on the River Derwent, followed by spectators greeting them at Kings Pier in Hobart.

How to watch the Sydney Hobart Yacht race

7mate will again broadcast the start of the race live across Australia.

ABC TV will also follow the fleet down the east coast and publish news footage.

Sydney Hobart yacht race: 2023 fleet

113 yachts have confirmed their participation in the 2023 Sydney Hobart yacht race – seven less than last year.

The full list of entrants can be viewed here.

Sydney Hobart: Last 10 race winners

Line honours winners.

Handicap winners

Melbourne to Hobart - Westcoaster

Race information.

• About the Race

The  ORCV “Westcoaster” is a legendary yacht race where tactics and sailing well can crown you as the race champion, regardless of boat size. 

Across the 435nm passage, yachts contend first with Bass Strait before taking on the wilderness and ruggedness of the West Coast of Tasmania and the long ocean swell of the Southern Ocean before turning towards the finish line and the shifting winds of the Derwent.

For more than 50 years, the Westcoaster has provided sailors with a unique race full of tactical challenges.

  "35 times but never been the same race,"   Robin Hewitt

 "It's a mind race, as much as it's a physical race," Rod Smallman 

"It's the K2 of ocean races, tactical and challenging,"  Ian Lyall 

Thank you to Grace, our Race Sponsor:  

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1200 - 1600: Starting Line Party

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Sydney to Hobart 2021 Guide: Start time, how to watch, yachts, results, TV, tracker, distance, Covid

After the cancellation of the last Sydney to Hobart for the first time, the 2021 is sailing on. Here’s how to watch, the yachts, start time, the history and more in our GUIDE to the Boxing Day race.

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Last year the famous race was called off at the last minute. This year it’s going ahead with around 90 yachts and their crews heading south.

We take a look at the favourites, the yachts heading south and how to follow the famous race which starts at 1pm on Boxing Day.

SYD-HOB WEATHER: Latest forecast

ROLLING COVERAGE: Latest news on race

LINE HONOURS FAVOURITES

Big is best and there are three mighty big 100-footers - the maximum size for boats - in this edition in Sydney skipper Christian Beck’s LawConnect, Peter Harburg’s Black Jack and the David Witt skippered Scallywag which is usually based in Hong Kong.

THE OVERALL CONTENDERS

Until the weather forecast settles, it could be any one of a number of yachts.

There’s the former winner, Alive from Tasmania, and then the two-time winner Ichi Ban, raced by Matt Allen.

Other yachts showing good form in the lead-up include David Griffith’s Whisper, the Sydney yachts URM and Zen and even the supermaxi LawConnect.

If it is a small boat race there are a number of contenders inlcuding the smallest boat, the 30-footer Gun Runner.

The race started as a cruise to Hobart in 1945 with just nine yachts and their crews taking part.

It is now recognised as one of the great ocean races in the world despite there being no prizemoney for winners, just some impressive silverware.

Last year the race was cancelled on December 20 after a coronavirus cluster on the northern beaches of Sydney where many sailors reside.

This year all sailors must be double vaccinated and also do a Covid test 72 hours before the start to be eligible to race.

PREVIOUS OVERALL WINNERS IN THE 2021 RACE

Solveig – 1954, when owned by Trygve and Magnus Halvorsen, but taken to Hobart by Captain Stan Darling

Love & War – 1974, 1978, when owned by Peter Kurts and 2006 owned by Simon Kurts, but taken to Hobart by Lindsay May

Wild Oats (Farr 43) – 1993, owned by Roger Hickman/Bruce Foye/Lance Peckman and 2014 as Wild Rose, owned by Roger Hickman

Oskana – 2013 as Victoire when owned by Darryl Hodgkinson

Quest – 2008 owned by Bob Steel, and as Balance 2015 for Paul Clitheroe

Ichi Ban - 2017 and 2019, owned by Matt Allen

Alive - 2018, owned by Phillip Turner

The Sydney to Hobart fleet is sent on its way from a start line near Shark Island on Sydney Harbour.

The race is sent on its way when a canon fires at 1pm.

The fleet will start off different start lines off Nielsen Park with boats on the northern line rounding Victor Mark and boats on the southern lines rounding X-Ray Mark at the Heads.

all boats heading out to sea and rounding “Mark Zulu”, one nautical mile east of the Heads.

The larger boats in the fleet will start off the front line, just north of Shark Island. The rest of the fleet will start from the southern lines, 0.2 nautical miles between each.

Having two rounding marks at Sydney Heads will compensate for the distance between the lines before the fleet heads to sea on the ocean voyage to Hobart.

The fleet ranges in size from 100 foot to 30 foot. For the first time a division of two-handed boats are competing in the Sydney to Hobart. However they are not eligible for the overall win.

VANTAGE POINTS

The start is just north of Shark Island and Bradley’s Head on Sydney Harbour.

The best vantage point looking straight down the line, is from Nielsen Park in the eastern suburbs.

On the other side of the harbour the pick is Bradleys Head.

Once the fleet has started, the areas at North and South Heads are the best viewing spots as is Middle Head.

Georges Head and Obelisk Bay headlands also provide a good view once the action is underway and the fleet storms up the harbour and out into open sea.

Watsons Bay and the area near the lighthouse are prime spots to watch the yachts head out to see and down the coast.

The Sydney to Hobart fleet heads out through Sydney Heads, turns right and heads south down the coast.

Yachts then race across the infamous Bass Strait and down the east coast of Tasmania, through Storm Bay and on to the finish line on the Derwent River in Hobart.

RACE DISTANCE

The rhumb line - the shortest distance between Sydney and Hobart is 628 nautical miles. However, yachts will tack and gybe their way south dependant on wind direction and cover significantly more ground.

TOP GUN: Famous Syd-Hob debutant

HOW TO FOLLOW THE RACE

The course of yachts can be followed on a race tracker on the race website which is activated once the race has started.

The tracker obtains a position using the GPS satellite network and then transmits that position using the Iridium satellite network.

RECORD BREAKERS

Lime honours race records since 1945.

1945 - Rani (UK) 6 days 14hrs 22 Min 0secs

1946 - Morna (NSW) 5:02:53:33

1957 - Kurrewa IV (NSW) 3:18:30:9

1962 - Ondine (US) 3:03:49:16

1973 - Helsal (NSW) 3:01:32:09

1975 - Kialoa (US) 2:14:36:56

1999 - Nokia (Den/Aus) 1:19:48:12

2005 - Wild Oats XI (NSW) 1:18:40:10

2012 - Wild Oats XI (NSW) 1: 18. 23.12.

2016 - Perpetual Loyal (NSW) 1:13.31.20

2017 - LDV Comanche (NSW) 1:09.15.24

SYDNEY TO HOBART FACTS AND FIGURES

#The largest fleet set sail in 1994, the 50th Anniversary of the race. That year 371 yachts started

#This years’s fleet boasts a new double-handed class with the two-strong crews racing alongside fully crewed boats.

#The slowest winner was the yacht Christina which took six days, 18 hours, 51 minutes and 15 seconds to complete the 630nm journey in 1946.

#The closest finish was back in 1982 when just seven seconds separated Condor of Bermuda and Apollo.

#Freya which won the race three times in succession in 1963-64-65 boats the best Hobart record.

#The best line honours record is held by Morna which was first to Hobart in 1946-47-48 and when renamed Kurrewa IV was first home in 1954, 1956 and 1957.

SYDNEY TO HOBART TELEVISION

The start will be on Channel 7 through 7mate.

More Coverage

TOKYO OLYMPIAN: Wet and wild times ahead

CRAZY SAILORS: Heading out in Sydney to Hobart

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Originally published as Sydney to Hobart 2021 Guide: Start time, how to watch, yachts, results, TV, tracker, distance, Covid

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See you next year!

The 77th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race

April 25 - 27, 2025

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This year we will celebrate a 50th N2E for one sailor with many others celebrating big anniversaries but also many newcomers.

Newport Ocean Sailing Association

Newport Ocean Sailing Association is a non-profit organization run by a board of directors filled with highly experienced sailboat racers and U.S. Sailing Certified Race Officials who, along with a large group of volunteers, are the premier race management team who host the iconic Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race and others all-the-while promoting yacht racing in Southern California. NOSA provides financial assistance to junior sailing programs and other non-profit organizations that encourage and develop amateur watersports with an emphasis on sailing, boating and seamanship.

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Race countdown: How to time the starting sequence perfectly

• September 23, 2019

Crossing the start line at the right time and maximum speed can be the key to winning a race. Mike Broughton explains how it’s done

Yachts approach the start line of the 2017 Fastnet Race. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi / Rolex

Starting a yacht at the right end of the line at target speed is very much a team game. On boats longer than 40ft, vital input comes from the bow person, trimmers, helmsman, tactician and navigator.

The role of the navigator has evolved in recent years to assist the tactician and helmsman by utilising navigation software to help the timed run into the start. Before the start of any competitive race fleet we now see over 90% of the fleet ‘pinging the ends’ of the line – GPS positioning helps us work out where the start line is and how far away we are at any moment.

We can now do the same with a modern sports watch with a GPS interface. However, to start a boat like a TP52 , there is a little more to it than just GPS positioning then using course and speed over the ground; but even this information can be very useful – particularly with long start lines.

I’ve been using software to help start races since I first discovered Deckman in 1989. It was developed to aid America’s Cup starting, but in those days many crew were pretty sceptical about its merits.

To work out our sailing time to the start line, the software needs to know our boat’s polars (how fast we will sail compared to true wind speed and true wind angle). One factor we need to refine is that normally we are not able to sail at 100% polar speed in the run into the start line as we have other yachts in close proximity and more ‘dirty air’ to deal with.

Simplified version of the B&G data for the two minutes pre-start on Y3K , showing time, distance to the line and boat speed as a percentage of polars

The solution is to use separate start polars and here I tend to reduce the normal optimum upwind boat speed target by about 12-15%. I also reduce the downwind polar speeds as we don’t usually have a spinnaker when downwind sailing pre-start.

For working out our time to the line, we also need to know the tidal stream or current. Some software will try to factor it in for you, but with a lot of manoeuvring it can easily give erroneous readings and it can be best to dial it into the software manually just for the start. A good habit is always to check the current on the start boat and pin end as you ‘ping’ their positions.

If the calibration of our sailing instruments is awry it can generate big errors in the software predicted ‘time to the line’, which is exacerbated if you need to tack or gybe prior to your final run-in. Instruments often take up to 45 seconds to settle down after a manoeuvre.

Quicker systems with high-speed GPS all help, but most software has a ‘t’ feature that allows the navigator to ‘hold’ or freeze the wind while turning. A useful tip here can be to just call boat lengths to the line while turning.

For good reasons, we sometimes slow the yacht down, then ‘pull the trigger’ or increase speed in the approach. Few racing software packages can handle yacht acceleration, and the afterguard need to be aware of that.

Once we have pinged both ends of the start line, we can instantly see the line bias, but that is only true for that moment. My tip here is to give the ‘square line’ bearing and compare that with the mean true wind direction over the last five minutes. It is always worth double-checking the line bearing with a hand-bearing compass as you get the line transits (a shoreline object that you can line up with the pin or buoy end).

Helping to work out where the layline to each end of the line is a useful feature of starting software. With a couple of practices you can often then identify another transit to help you quickly find that layline in the heat of the battle.

Using a countdown in boat lengths to the layline helps the tactician a great deal, particularly in placing your yacht relative to another already approaching the start line. When sailing in current you preferably need to know the ‘tidally adjusted layline’ transit.

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Navigation briefing: How to anchor your yacht mid-race

There are two factors to consider when it comes to racing and anchors. One is whether you might find yourself…

It is usually a matter of the tactician’s preference whether to call ‘sailing time to the line’ or ‘time to burn’ and whether you are factoring in the time for a tack or gybe if required. My view is to switch to ‘time to burn’ from 2 minutes 30 seconds to go, though you need to specify ‘time to burn’ to the start line and your preferred start end.

Larger and heavier yachts really don’t want to be manoeuvring in the last 45 seconds prior to the start. So helping find the correct turn in is vital. One of the best yachts at starting I have raced on is the J Class yacht Velsheda , which weighs in at 143 tonnes.

The team never likes to have to alter course in the last minute as they start building speed. On a 140ft boat they use headsets for communication and the bowman has a key input in the last 30 seconds when it comes to calling the time to burn.

With practice, the crew can learn to have good confidence in the navigator’s calls using software, but it’s vital also to cross-check those calls with reality. This is particularly important in light and shifty conditions. Here you have to remember the software can’t see that shift that is 50m away from the boat. In light winds it is a useful to focus more on boat lengths to the start line (also when in the middle of a tack).

About the expert

Mike Broughton is a pro race navigator who has won many titles including World and European championships. He is a qualified MCA Master to captain superyachts and previously had a successful career in the Fleet Air Arm flying Sea King and Lynx helicopters.

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024: A Legendary Challenge Awaits

As the 79th edition of the Sydney Hobart approaches, the excitement is palpable. Whether you're a seasoned sailor, an offshore racing enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys the spectacle of high-level competition, the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race promises to deliver thrilling moments, testing the limits of both yachts and crews.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, one of the world’s most iconic and challenging offshore races, is gearing up for its 79th edition, set to begin in less than 100 days on Thursday, 26 December 2024 . This 628-nautical-mile event, known for its unforgiving conditions and competitive spirit, will once again capture the attention of sailors and spectators worldwide. Starting from Sydney Harbour and finishing in Hobart , Tasmania, this annual race represents the pinnacle of blue water sailing and is a testament to endurance, strategy, and seamanship.

The Route: A Grueling Offshore Odyssey

The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is renowned not just for its length but for the treacherous nature of the journey. The race begins with a spectacular start on Sydney Harbour at 1300 hrs AEDT , where hundreds of boats jostle for position in front of a cheering crowd. From there, the fleet heads south, navigating the unpredictable conditions of the Bass Strait —a body of water known for its challenging weather, including strong winds, heavy seas, and rapidly changing conditions.

The final stretch down the east coast of Tasmania can be just as tricky, often offering complex tactical decisions as yachts negotiate the Derwent River, where the wind can die down or shift abruptly, impacting the final standings. The combination of distance, weather, and tactical nuances makes the Sydney Hobart race one of the most demanding in the world.

A Legendary Race with Global Prestige

First held in 1945, the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has grown to become one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized sailing events. Each year, it draws competitors from around the globe, from professional sailors aboard cutting-edge maxis to passionate amateur crews in smaller vessels. The event has a storied history of drama, triumphs, and challenges, which has cemented its place as a must-do race for sailors seeking adventure and achievement.

Many yachts in the 2024 race will vie for the coveted Tattersall Cup , awarded to the overall winner on corrected time under the IRC rating system. Meanwhile, line honors, which go to the first yacht to cross the finish line, are another fiercely contested prize. The battle between supermaxis—60-foot-plus yachts designed for speed—always provides a thrilling spectacle.

The 2024 Fleet: A Diverse and Competitive Lineup

Entries for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race have already opened, and sailors from around the world are eager to test their skills in this renowned event. The fleet will feature a diverse mix of yachts, from high-tech racing machines to seasoned offshore cruisers, each bringing their own strengths and strategies to the table. As of now, several prominent yachts have registered, and anticipation is building for a competitive race to Hobart.

Supermaxis like Comanche , Wild Oats XI , and Black Jack are expected to be among the top contenders for line honors, while a host of smaller and older boats, racing with experienced crews, will be in contention for overall victory on corrected time. These boats face the same course and conditions as the supermaxis, making for exciting and unpredictable results.

Key Challenges: Weather and Strategy

While the Sydney Hobart race has seen technological advancements in yacht design and navigation, the one constant challenge remains the weather. The Bass Strait is notorious for delivering fierce winds and rough seas, and many past editions of the race have been marked by storms that push yachts and crews to their limits. Strategic decisions—such as where to place the boat relative to wind shifts, when to change sails, and how to approach the unpredictable Derwent River in the race’s final stages—can make or break a campaign.

The 2024 edition is likely to be no different, with weather playing a pivotal role in determining both the speed of the race and the eventual winner. Sailors will be closely watching the forecasts, making real-time decisions on everything from sail selection to positioning.

A Spectacle for Spectators

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is not just a challenge for those on the water—it’s also a major event for spectators. The dramatic start on Sydney Harbour draws large crowds, both onshore and on the water, as hundreds of boats vie for the best positions to watch the action unfold. The sight of yachts racing out through the Sydney Heads , with spinnakers flying, is an unforgettable moment for those watching.

As the race progresses, many will follow the fleet’s progress through live tracking , as yachts make their way towards Hobart. For those in Hobart , the atmosphere is electric, as crowds gather at Constitution Dock to welcome the first boats in, often amid jubilant celebrations.

Looking Ahead: The 79th Edition and Beyond

As the 79th edition of the Sydney Hobart approaches, the excitement is palpable. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor, an offshore racing enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys the spectacle of high-level competition, the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race promises to deliver thrilling moments, testing the limits of both yachts and crews.

In the face of challenges like tough weather, strategic gambles, and tight competition, this year’s race is sure to add another chapter to the legend of one of the world’s greatest offshore challenges. Will the current record-breaking times fall? Can a new boat or crew rise to the occasion and claim victory? Only time—and the Bass Strait—will tell.

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The 100th anniversary of the Rolex Fastnet Race starts on 26th July 2025 The race upon which the Royal Ocean Racing Club was founded in 1925 has grown to become the world's largest offshore race. The 100th anniversary edition will set sail from Cowes on 26 July 2025 and finish, for a third time, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France; a course of 695 miles.

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The race starts off the Royal Yacht Squadron start line of Cowes on the Isle of Wight on the south coast of England at the Royal Yacht Squadron. Leaving The Solent through The Needles Channel, the race follows the southern coastline of England westward down the English Channel, before rounding Land's End. After crossing the Celtic Sea, the race rounds the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland. Returning on a largely reciprocal course, the race rounds the Isles of Scilly before finishing at Cherbourg.

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

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Whatever the results of the Rolex Sydney Hobart, one thing is certain - when the race starts at 1300 AEDT on Boxing Day it will capture the imagination of sailors and spectators worldwide. As this year’s activities are being run as a COVID Safe event, we would request that spectators are mindful of social distancing requirements and join the millions of viewers who tune into the action on TV and online.

When the fleet for this year's race jostles for position on four start lines around Shark Island, you'll want to be in prime position yourself. To get the full dose of race atmosphere you need to grab a spot on North or South Head, or even join the action on the water among the colourful spectator fleet (which includes craft of all shapes and sizes from ferries to kayaks and even the odd water taxi). But if you're not lucky enough to be there in person when the starting cannon fires, don't worry - there are plenty of ways to follow the race, no matter where you are.

If you've got access to a boat then you can be on the water with the fleet for the start of the race. Spectator craft positioned in the eastern channel can watch the race begin and then follow the fleet down the harbour to the Heads and out to sea. Once underway the fleet can move fast, so if you want to catch the leaders sail through the Heads, it's advisable to get well down the harbour towards Middle Head before the start. At the Heads keep well clear of the rounding marks.

If you only plan on watching the start, and don't wish to follow the fleet, then stick to the western side of the harbour. Good vantage points for spectator boats include Taylors Bay, Chowder Bay, Obelisk Bay and North Head on the west and Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, Camp Cove and South Head to the east.

The Harbour will be very crowded and traffic can be chaotic so stay alert, follow the advice of race officials and remember to keep well clear of the exclusion zone between 12pm and 2pm.

The Jackson  is the only public and official spectator vessel permitted within the Sydney Harbour exclusion zone for the exciting race start.

Bookings and to find out more 

On Television

The Seven Network, through 7Mate, will once again broadcast the start of the race live around Australia. 

ABC TV will also be following the fleet down the eastern seaboard and provide all the in-race news footage that is used by the various Australian and International news networks.

For those who can't get to watch the live broadcast of the start of the Race on the Seven Network across Australia, Seven West Media will webcast the program. You can also watch a webcast of the live broadcast on the home page of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race website.

If you miss the live webcast, don't worry, a replay of the start programme will be available on this site, and our friends at Seven West Media will be making a replay available shortly after the live webcast concludes and will be available for the duration of the race. 

Included on the website is the complete list of yachts entered, along with a photograph and description of each boat, a crew list, and the boat's performance data, predicted finishing time and standing for both Line Honours and Handicap Division which is updated every 10 minutes.

There's also archival data including results of past races since the first in 1945, the weather they encountered; a summary of line and overall handicap winners of those races; historical reports and statistical information; designers of those line and overall winners; and profiles of some of the race luminaries over the years.

You'll also be able to follow the event on twitter for race updates http://twitter.com/rshyr  and via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RolexSydneyHobart  

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The Yacht Tracker page allows viewers to track the entire fleet or a particular boat from start to finish. Yacht Tracker uses a specially designed tool that calculates the predicted results for each and every boat in the fleet, so you can see how each boat is performing.

Each yacht will be fitted with a tracker that will obtain a position using the GPS satellite network, and then transmit that position back to HQ using the Iridium satellite network.

Each yacht's position is then visualised on the race yacht tracker map or overlaid on Google Earth. In addition, the yacht tracker system also shows distance to finish line and progressive corrected time positions under the IRC, ORCi and PHS handicap divisions

To do this, the tracker is configured to automatically update the yacht's latitude, longitude, course over ground and speed over ground - and transmits that information via satellite to a land station.  From there, the data is transferred to the website, which shows in text and graphics each yacht's position in the fleet, its place relative to other boats and known geographic features, and the speed currently being achieved over the land, as well as the direction in which the boat is sailing.

Viewers may view the yachts on a chart through Yacht Tracker or separately on Google Earth. Line honours and progressive predicted corrected times under the IRC, PHS and ORCi handicap categories are updated every 10 minutes.

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I Loved Tudor’s Sailing Watch Even More While Aboard an Actual Racing Yacht

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The weather report in Barcelona wasn’t looking particularly promising last month as I boarded a vessel on the Mediterranean. Leaving the Spanish coast behind me, storm clouds gathered overhead as the Swiss and French teams geared up to face off in the 37th edition of the America’s Cup. Then again, I was reminded, a bit of wind was a welcome sensation—without it, this regatta couldn’t get underway.

If you’ve never been buzzed by an AC75, the class of racing yacht used during the current America’s Cup , it can be difficult to imagine the sensation. I no longer had to imagine as the Alinghi Red Bull team’s AC75 reached its top speed of 50 knots (58 mph) and seemed to be nearly levitating as it lifted out of the water. And if it’s flying in anything resembling your general direction, this can be quite unnerving.

Even if you’re not a sailor, you’re likely familiar with America’s Cup anyway because of how frequently it intersects with the watch world. Tudor , Omega , and Panerai have all gotten in on the action, the logos of their storied brands featured prominently on mainsheets attached to each vessel’s 26.5-meter mast. For each edition of the Cup in which one of these maisons is sponsoring a team, said company will often debut a special watch, sometimes with a dedicated sailing complication such as a regatta timer. Two of the most compelling of these watches were introduced just last year: Tudor’s Pelagos FXD and FXD Chrono Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition . As I discovered earlier this month, they become even more compelling aboard the actual yacht they’re inspired by.

The racing yacht wasn't the only thing that made me feel like a member of team Alinghi that day. I also got a chance to wear the FXD from Tudor's Pelagos line. The Pelagos collection comprises the brand's most professional diving watch, complete with heavy-duty specs, some military influence, and perhaps a bit more character than the brand’s flagship Black Bay collection. Introduced in 2012, the Pelagos line has seen continuous improvement, culminating in the recent “ FXD .” (The “FXD” is for “fixed,” a design with military provenance that secures a strap to the wrist without possibility of spring bar failure.) The black-dialed FXD immediately stole my heart upon its release late in 2023, when I dove with it in Florida.

I wasn’t the only one wearing this purpose-made FXD. The entire Alinghi Red Bull racing team—from team owner to engineer—was kitted out with them. For me, it’s a cool watch; for the sailing team, it’s essential gear. Timing is everything out on the open water. “We use a watch [the Pelagos FXD] that’s in complete sync with what we do here,” says Jaume Triay, a young engineer on the Alinghi Red Bull team who’s spent the past two years living in Barcelona to prepare for the competition. “It’s a low-weight, high-performance watch, and it’s made out of the same materials [as the AC75]; I think there’s a nice synergy.”

Everything about the Alinghi FXD is made with yacht racing in mind. The watch is made from carbon fiber to mirror the carbon-hulled AC75 yachts, with matte blue-purple dials to match the Alinghi Red Bull livery. The numbers on the bezel are arranged in the reverse orientation from those on a dive watch. Why? On a yacht, one needs to quickly calculate countdowns, which is why the numbers go from 60-0 in a counterclockwise direction, rather than the more common 0-60. I had never spent much time with either of the new FXD watches before, but had the opportunity to wear the time-only version during my time in Barcelona for the 37th edition of the America’s Cup. I’m officially a fan.

The dial is a classic Tudor affair: Done up in matte Alinghi Red Bull blue, it features a snowflake handset and matching white indices, all of which are nicely lumed with plenty of Super-LumiNova. (The indices, hands, and all bezel hashmarks glow ice blue in low light.) A red second hand matches up with red “Pelagos” text—no doubt in a reference to vintage Rolex models and in keeping with other Pelagos watches—and the rehaut, which contains the outer minute track, features the words “ALINGHI RED BULL RACING” in the upper quadrant.

“Timing is important in many aspects [of what the team does],” Triay says. “It’s important in planning, such as how much time we need to train before competing, and how much time we have to design the boat. But then also, you can think about maneuvers: Are we going to do a slow, nicely controlled maneuver, or a sharp turn executed as quickly as possible? What is best, and how do you find replicable timing in order to analyze different strategies?”

Indeed, timing was everything as we sailed out into the open ocean outside Barcelona aboard the yacht in order to watch Alinghi compete against the French team. The Swiss needed to win this particular race, lest it be forced to win three in a row in the double-round robin of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Section Series—or face elimination. I was eager to try aligning my bezel to properly time the race countdown as announced aboard the ship’s television, where the race was being broadcast live.

Stepping out onto the deck in the rain (we picked a poor day for sailing) Alinghi’s AC75 was visible in the distance, tacking hard in the driving wind and water. Its complement of ultra-skilled sailors, however, proved their competence and seamanship, crossing the starting line just as the countdown ended and gaining a significant start on the French team. Roughly 20 minutes of hard sailing later, up and down a course established by remote-controlled buoys to align with the direction of the wind, the Swiss team captured its much-needed victory.

After the win, high-fives were swapped, congratulations were offered, audible sighs of relief were exhaled. As we sailed back into harbor, we passed the AC75 furling its sails, yelling our collective “mazel tov” at the team and chase boat crews. I glanced down at the FXD and thought back to my childhood summer camp experience and the activity I most enjoyed: Sailing small Sunfish dinghies on Plunkett Reservoir. I haven’t sailed in over 20 years, but the thought suddenly crossed my mind: Maybe it’s time to sail again—Pelagos fixed firmly on wrist.