The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race: An iconic test of sailing prowess

The history and legacy of the race

With less than 10 days until the start of 2024 race, let’s take a quick look at how it started.

Origins

The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, first held in 1945, was established as a relatively informal affair but quickly grew into one of the world’s most prestigious offshore sailing competitions. The origins of the race are rooted in a chance encounter and shared enthusiasm for sailing. Captain John Illingworth, a British naval officer and experienced sailor, was invited by Sydney yachtman Jack Earl to join a leisurely cruise from Sydney to Hobart. Illingworth suggested turning it into a competition, and the concept for the race was born.

Organised by the newly established Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), the inaugural race saw a fleet of just nine boats set sail on Boxing Day, 26 December 1945. Illingworth himself, aboard the yacht Rani, not only participated but also secured the win, arriving in Hobart after 6 days, 14 hours, and 22 minutes. The race’s challenging 628-nautical-mile course—starting from Sydney Harbour, across the Tasman Sea, through the often-turbulent Bass Strait, and up the Derwent River to Hobart—immediately captured the imagination of sailors and the public alike.

Today

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has since evolved significantly. Today, it attracts a mix of professional teams and amateur sailors, with a fleet often exceeding 100 yachts. The competition is particularly famous for its unpredictability, as participants face a variety of conditions, from calm waters to extreme storms, requiring exceptional seamanship and resilience.

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The race became a global event largely due to its tradition of starting on Boxing Day, coinciding with summer holidays in the Southern Hemisphere, and extensive media coverage. It gained further prestige when Rolex became its principal sponsor in 2002, cementing its place as a marquee event on the international sailing calendar.

The competition’s legacy is built on friendships and the spirit of adventure, with the Tattersall Cup awarded to the overall handicap winner, celebrating skill and determination as much as speed. Historic achievements, such as Rani’s initial triumph and record-breaking performances like Comanche’s fastest-ever completion in 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds in 2017, contribute to its storied past.

The Sydney to Hobart is now recognised as a test of endurance and a highlight of competitive yachting, drawing both elite sailors and enthusiasts who relish its blend of tradition and challenge. Its origins reflect the collaborative and competitive spirit of the sailing community, a tradition that continues to define the race today.

Notable achievements

The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has a storied history of remarkable achievements and milestones that underscore its reputation as one of the world’s most challenging offshore races. Here are some of the notable highlights:

Record-breaking and non-record-breaking finishes:

• • The current race record was set in 2017 by Comanche, a 100-foot Maxi, completing the 628-nautical mile course in just 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds
  • The slowest time ever recorded for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was 11 days, 6 hours, and 20 minutes, set by Peter Luke’s yacht Wayfarer in 1945. Luke was a co-founder of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which hosts the race.

Closest line-honours finishes

• • In 1982 Condor of Burmuda beat Apollo III across the finish line by just seven seconds during a gruelling match race up the River Derwent
  • LawConnect won line honors in the 2023 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, beating Andoo Comanche by 51 seconds. The race was a close battle with the lead changing multiple times in the final stages. LawConnect‘s owner, Christian Beck, was a runner-up for the previous three years, so this was his first win. The race was the second-closest finish in the history of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. 

Dramatic rescues and tragedies

• • The 1998 race remains the most infamous due to a fierce storm in the Bass Strait, which sadly lead to the loss of six lives and the sinking of five yachts. The rescue efforts by the Australian Navy, fishing vessels, and helicopters saved many sailors and highlighted the race’s dangers. This tragedy prompted a significant review of race safety protocols.

Legendary performances

• • Wild Oats XI is a standout in the race’s history, winning line honours a record nine times between 2005 and 2018, including 4 successive races (2005-2008).

• • Freya won the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race three times in a row overall (handicap system), from 1963 to 1965, making it the only yacht to ever achieve this feat.

• • Some yachts have become legends in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race thanks to their impressive number of appearances. Bacardi stands out with a record 30 races, a testament to its durability and the dedication of its crews over the years. Close behind are Phillip’s Foote Witchdoctor and Sweet Caroline, both with 27 races each. Other names like Ragamuffin, Margaret Rintoul II, and Spirit of Koomooloo (a 50-footer) have clocked 26 races, sharing this milestone with Polaris of Belmont and Mark Twain. Impeccable isn’t far off, with 25 races, while the iconic Brindabella (Jutson 75), famous for its speed and striking design, has competed 20 times. These yachts represent decades of commitment to one of the world’s toughest ocean races.

Legendary and iconic participants

• • Sir Ben Ainslie, another Rolex Testimonee and the most successful Olympic sailor in history, has expressed admiration for the race’s difficulty and camaraderie, especially among amateur sailors. His participation underscores the race’s blend of professional and Corinthian spirit.

  • Some sailors have left an lasting impact on the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race with their incredible participation records. Tony Ellis from New South Wales leads the pack, competing in 54 races, earning 1 overall win and 2 line honours. Close behind are Tony Cable and Colin Wildman, each with 53 races, with Cable also contributing to race management on the Race Review Vessel (RRV) twice and Wildman 21 times. Lindsay May holds a unique achievement with 50 consecutive races, earning 3 overall wins and 1 line honour. Bill Ratcliff and Bruce Gould have also reached 50 races, with Gould notably serving on the RRV 10 times, while earning 2 overall and 2 line honours wins. These sailors showcase decades of dedication, determination, and passion for one of the world’s most demanding ocean races.

  • The race has welcomed nearly 60,000 competitors and 7,500 yachts since its inception in 1945, reflecting its enduring appeal and legacy in the sailing world

Diverse fleet and winners

• • While the 100-foot Maxis often grab headlines, the overall handicap prize (Tattersall Cup) is open to yachts of all sizes, showcasing the democratic nature of the race. Notable winners range from cutting-edge Maxis to smaller, older yachts, proving that success is about skill, strategy, and resilience as much as speed.

The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race remains a pinnacle event in the sailing calendar, combining technical precision, natural challenges, and a rich tapestry of stories that have unfolded over nearly eight decades.

The route: from beauty to brutality

The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race spans 628 nautical miles, beginning in the iconic Sydney Harbour and concluding in Hobart, Tasmania. The race is widely regarded as one of the toughest ocean races in the world, thanks to its diverse and challenging conditions.

The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is a study in contrasts, beginning with the stunningly picturesque start in Sydney Harbour and transitioning into the infamous challenges of the Bass Strait.

The race kicks off with a festive atmosphere, as hundreds of yachts set out from Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day, framed by the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Thousands of spectators gather along the shores and on boats to witness the spectacular sight of sails unfurling against a backdrop of sparkling waters and clear skies. This opening scene is one of celebration and beauty, drawing global attention.

As the race progresses, however, the mood shifts dramatically, particularly upon reaching Bass Strait. This narrow, shallow body of water between mainland Australia and Tasmania is notorious for its unpredictable and severe conditions. Strong winds, powerful ocean currents, and steep, confused waves create a punishing environment that has tested the limits of even the most seasoned sailors. The shallow depth of the strait amplifies wave heights during storms, turning the crossing into a battle against nature.

While the start of the race showcases a joyful and scenic spectacle, the Bass Strait reminds competitors why this is one of the world’s toughest ocean races. The ability to adapt to this sharp contrast often separates finishers from those forced to retire, underscoring the resilience and skill required to complete the journey.

Sydney Harbour start

The race starts on Boxing Day, with yachts jostling for position as they sail out of Sydney Harbour past the Heads. The spectacle attracts thousands of spectators onshore and afloat.

Sailing down Australia’s East Coast

Yachts then head south along the east coast of New South Wales. Here, they often encounter varying conditions, from light coastal breezes to strong southerly winds. Navigating headlands and dealing with ocean currents, such as the East Australian Current, adds complexity to this segment.

Crossing Bass Strait

This notorious stretch of water between mainland Australia and Tasmania is where the race’s true test begins. Known for its unpredictable weather, the Bass Strait can feature anything from calm seas to towering waves and gale-force winds. Many of the race’s dramatic rescues and memorable challenges have occurred here.

Rounding Tasmania’s East Coast

Once past Bass Strait, the fleet sails down Tasmania’s east coast. This section often requires careful navigation around capes and headlands, as well as adapting to lighter winds near the coast.

Storm Bay and the Derwent River

The final stretch begins in Storm Bay, where conditions can vary dramatically, with wind shifts playing a critical role. From there, yachts enter the Derwent River, often facing fading evening breezes or windless patches, making the closing miles a tactical challenge.

Finish in Hobart

The race ends at Hobart’s Constitution Dock, where cheering crowds and festive celebrations await the finishers. The journey, a mix of physical endurance, tactical expertise, and seamanship, makes completing the race an achievement in itself.

This combination of breathtaking scenery, varied weather, and strategic demands has cemented the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as a bucket-list event for sailors worldwide.

The fleet: a race for all

The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race features a remarkably diverse fleet, bringing together cutting-edge technology and grassroots passion for sailing. The race attracts everything from state-of-the-art maxi yachts designed for speed and line honours to modest, amateur-crewed vessels vying for glory under the handicap system.

High-tech maxi yachts