New Zealand entry Vixen Racing has retired from the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race after a crew injury, becoming the first and only boat in the 2025 fleet to withdraw due to injury.
The decision was confirmed at 5:20pm AEDT, with the Verdier 40 last reported 48 nautical miles east of Montague Island. Skipper Sharon Ferris-Choat and her crew made the call with safety the clear priority. Details of the injury have not been released.
Our thoughts are with the crew, and we wish everyone onboard the safest possible return.
The retirement comes after a challenging opening phase to Vixen Racing’s first Sydney Hobart campaign, which tested both crew and systems from the outset.
The New Zealand boat was slow away from the start after an early equipment issue. Ferris-Choat described the opening as “horrible” after the A2 failed to deploy as the fleet cleared Sydney Heads, costing momentum and forcing the team into recovery mode almost immediately.
“After a horrible start with our A2 failing to deploy, we’re clawing our way back,” Ferris-Choat told Boating New Zealand earlier in the race.
By mid-morning on day one, Vixen was sailing in around 15.6 knots of true wind, making steady progress as the crew worked to reset. Overnight conditions eased, but the sea state remained uncomfortable, with heavy slamming through the hull.
“Life on board feels like walking like a crab,” Ferris-Choat said, noting stronger conditions were forecast to follow.
Despite the difficult start, Vixen Racing had begun to stabilise and make gains as the fleet stretched south. At the last full race update before retirement, she was positioned east of Batemans Bay, holding 61st on line honours and 11th in IRC Division 2, with hundreds of miles still to run.
Team Vixen Racing: women at the helm in the PIC Coastal Classic 2025
Ultimately, the decision to retire underscores the realities of offshore racing. When crew welfare is compromised, the race becomes secondary.
Vixen Racing’s withdrawal marks a disappointing end to what had been a determined and resilient first Sydney Hobart effort, but one made with the right priorities front of mind.
