The race that creates legends

Nautical miles of endeavour, drive and determination which underpin each and every edition of the #rolexsydneyhobartyachtrace will again come to the fore at this year’s 72nd running of one of the world’s most famous, and revered, yacht races.
The #rolex Sydney Hobart, organized by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), has run every year since its inaugural race in 1945. Its rich history, distinctive date and reputation as one of the world’s toughest ocean races have contributed to its status as a genuine icon in the sport. #rolex has been title sponsor since 2002 and the race forms one of the core events
in its annual yachting calendar A stringent examination of seamanship and a genuine test of human endeavour, this elite #competition has, throughout its history, been defined by the pioneering feats and intrepid spirit of adventure of those who participate. Fact: 5,828 yachts have started the 71 editions of the race. 4,812 have finished
the race. The 1,016 yachts that have failed to finish are testament to the race’s true difficulty.
A PUBLIC SHOWCASE
The start of the #rolex Sydney Hobart is one of the most viewed sailing events in the world, and arguably the only one that unites an entire nation.
On 26 December, Australia is in a festive mood. Just when the traditional international test cricket match in Melbourne breaks for lunch, the starting signal
for the #rolex Sydney Hobart is fired, with an estimated one million Australians watching live from one of Sydney Harbour’s many vantage points, on television,
or from the water itself.
During the race start, iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge pay witness to the action out on the water as a fleet of around
one hundred yachts ranging from 100-ft cutting-edge Maxis, crewed by elite professional sailing talent, to 30-ft family-sailed yachts jostle for space at sea.
Fact: The record number of yachts to start a #rolex Sydney Hobart is 371, which marked the 50th edition of the race in 1994.
CONSTANT CHALLENGES
While the start is a truly public occasion, the race can soon become an isolated experience for those competing. The fleet disperses as the sight of dry land fades. While some crews have other yachts for company, many will sail alone without a competitor in sight. The race is a true test of resources, notably for those out at sea the longest, whose main goal is to finish before the year ends. Crews manage carefully planned watch-systems to ensure energy levels are sustained. The race is demanding both physically and mentally, with continual tactical and navigational decisions required.
The famous 628-nm racecourse takes the fleet south along the New South Wales coast of the Tasman Sea before crossing the eastern edge of Bass Strait, and continuing down the east coast of Tasmania before the final, sometimes frustratingly slow, leg up the Derwent River to the historic port of Hobart. Competitors must be prepared for all kinds of conditions, often within the same race. This is a punishing contest where the elements can escalate dramatically and, on occasions, be unforgiving.
The 1998 edition of the race witnessed severe storms, the sinking of five yachts and the loss of six lives in Bass Strait. The organizers’ response was pro-active: new safety measures and regulations were introduced immediately after the disaster and given their global resonance were adopted around the world.
Fact: Six yachts – Rani (1945), American Eagle (1972), Kialoa II (1977), New Zealand (1980), Sovereign (1987), Wild Oats XI (2005, 2012) – have done the double, achieving the momentous feat of winning line honours and the Tattersall’s Cup in the same year.
FIRST, AND FASTEST, TO HOBART
The one thing all crews can be assured of is a warm welcome when reaching Hobart. The arrival of the first yacht is always a significant occasion, of great media and public interest. In the modern era of the race, one yacht - the late Bob Oatley’s 100-ft Maxi Wild Oats XI - has dominated line honours, finishing fastest in eight of the last eleven races.