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.

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:
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- 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
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- 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.

LAWCONNECT, Sail no: SYD 1000, Owner: Christian Beck, Design: Juan K 100 Custom, Country: AUS
ANDOO COMANCHE, Sail no: CAY 007, Owner: John Herman Winning, Design: Vplp Verdier 100, Country: AUS Credit / https://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com
Dramatic rescues and tragedies
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- 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
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- 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).

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- 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.

Legendary and iconic participants
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- 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.
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- 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
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- 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
Maxi yachts, such as Comanche, Black Jack, and the legendary Wild Oats XI, are built with the latest advancements in materials, hydrodynamics, and sail technology. Stretching up to 100 feet, these sleek racing machines are crewed by professional sailors and backed by significant financial resources. They focus on line honours, awarded to the first yacht to cross the finish line. These yachts are capable of astonishing speeds, often breaking records, but they are highly dependent on favourable weather conditions and require meticulous planning and execution.
Smaller and amateur-crewed boats
In stark contrast, the fleet also includes smaller, older yachts often sailed by amateur crews. These boats compete under handicap rules, such as the IRC system, which levels the playing field by factoring in the yacht’s design, age, and performance potential. Many of these crews are family teams, club sailors, or long-time enthusiasts who pour their passion and experience into the race. For them, the ultimate goal is winning the Tattersall Cup, awarded to the overall winner on corrected time.
Diversity in scale and spirit
The juxtaposition of these extremes creates an inclusive and dynamic competition. Maxi yachts bring the thrill of cutting-edge performance, while smaller vessels embody the enduring spirit of adventure and camaraderie. This diversity is a hallmark of the Sydney to Hobart, with the race serving as a unifying platform for sailors of all levels, from elite professionals to grassroots participants.
Both ends of the fleet face their own unique challenges—maxis contend with technical precision and split-second decisions, while smaller boats often endure more grueling conditions over longer durations. Together, they encapsulate the spirit of one of the world’s most celebrated ocean races.
What’s happening in 2024?
The 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is shaping up to be a thrilling event, with a diverse fleet featuring returning champions, new entrants, and underdogs to watch.
Notable yachts competing this year include LawConnect (a Juan K 100 Custom), the defending Line Honours champion, and Comanche (a Vplp Verdier 100), which is aiming to reclaim its dominance among the maxis. Other high-profile contenders in the maxi category include URM Group (a Reichel Pugh Maxi 72), Whisper (a JV 62), and the luxury cruiser Maritimo 100 (an Oyster100.) This robust lineup promises fierce competition among the largest and fastest yachts.
In the overall division, Alive (a Reichel Pugh 66), last year’s winner of the coveted Tattersall Cup, will defend its title. On the international front, yachts like Caro (a Botin 52) from New Zealand (the only entrant from New Zealand), a returning competitor, and Cocody (a Jpk 11.80) from France are poised to challenge the fleet. Cocody recently achieved significant success in the RORC Transatlantic Race, making its Rolex Sydney Hobart debut highly anticipated.
The race also sees growth in the Double Handed division, with 16 entrants this year. Among them is Maritimo Katwinchar (a Watney Circa 1904), the oldest yacht in the fleet, built in 1904 and now competing with a streamlined setup. Another standout is Fika (a Najad 1490), co-skippered by a mother-daughter team, which doubles as a qualifier for the Melbourne Osaka Cup.
With a mix of seasoned racers, historic vessels, and ambitious newcomers, the 79th edition of the race promises high drama and a showcase of endurance, strategy, and skill across the iconic route from Sydney to Hobart.
What to expect in 2024
The 2024 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race promises to deliver another year of intense competition and dramatic moments, staying true to its legacy as one of the world’s most iconic offshore events. As the race marks its 79th edition, a diverse and highly competitive fleet of yachts is gearing up to face the challenges of the 628-nautical-mile course, with entries from top professionals, seasoned amateurs, and international participants.
Key storylines for the 2024 race include:
Tight competition for line honours
The 2024 race is expected to feature a fierce battle for line honors, with both seasoned veterans and new contenders vying for victory. Last year’s race was marked by one of the closest finishes in recent memory, with just 51 seconds separating the first two yachts. This intense competition is likely to be a highlight, with crews pushing their boats to the limit to claim the prestigious line honors
Challenging weather and conditions
The weather forecast for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is shaping up to be challenging and unpredictable, which will add an extra layer of complexity to the race. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a southerly breeze is expected at the race start on Boxing Day, though there is some uncertainty around this as it could shift to a more northeasterly direction depending on the timing of a trough. This will likely be accompanied by showers and the potential for thunderstorms early in the race.
As the race progresses, the fleet will encounter a series of transitions, including a high-pressure ridge, which could bring easterly winds to the region between December 27 and 28. This could complicate the race further, especially for larger yachts, as the changing conditions make it difficult to predict who will come out on top.
Navigators are bracing for a tactical contest, where how well competitors handle the transitions and position themselves will be crucial. For smaller boats, particularly those in the Two-Handed Division, lighter winds or shifting easterlies could pose a challenge if they do not have the right sail configurations.
The overall forecast suggests the absence of record-breaking conditions, and competitors will likely have to sail to their handicaps.
The push for handicap victory
While the battle for line honors often steals the spotlight, the fight for the Tattersall Cup, awarded to the overall winner on handicap, is equally significant. Recent editions have seen diverse winners, ranging from massive 100-foot Maxis to smaller, more agile yachts in the 40-60ft range. This highlights the democratic nature of the race, where the smallest boat can still have a chance at victory, depending on the weather and the skills of the crew
Involvement of high-profile sailors
High-caliber sailors, such as Tom Slingsby, an Olympic gold medallist and former line honors winner, are adding excitement to the event. Slingsby’s achievements, including his 2016 line honors victory and breaking the race record, highlight the competitive spirit of the race. His insights and the presence of other renowned sailors, like Sir Ben Ainslie, are sure to add depth to the race’s profile
New entries and first-time participants
The race is also welcoming new participants, including those aiming to experience the challenge of Australia’s most prestigious offshore race. With over 100 yachts expected to compete, including a mix of newcomers and veterans, the event promises a variety of stories, with some yachts experiencing the race for the first time, while others return with hopes of improving on previous results
As always, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will showcase the spirit of adventure and camaraderie among sailors, with crews pushing their limits both physically and mentally to complete one of the toughest challenges in the sailing world. The anticipation leading up to the start on December 26 is building, and the world will be watching as these yachts race toward the finish line in Hobart.