The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is an iconic and challenging 630Nm (1,170km) yacht race that is raced from Sydney NSW to Hobart in Tasmania Australia. The race starts on the 26th of December each year on Boxing Day.
The 2019 race will be the 75th edition of the race. Rolex are the major sponsor of this race. This race is an extremely difficult race. One of the most notorious race years being 1998 saw only 44 yachts make the distance with a fleet of 115 starters. The race is held in the Australian summer but is frequently hit by southerly busters and/or storms that can make the race cold, bumpy and very challenging.
How much time do I need?
The race was first won in 1945 by a yacht called Rani from Lake Macquarie which took 6 days and 14 hours and 22 minutes. The recent race results have seen yachts completing the race in 1 day and 19 hours.
Depending on the crew and the yacht, weather conditions and the risk/reward balance, typically the race takes approximately 3 to 4 days with most yachts striving to reach Hobart before New Years Eve.
After a few days of rest and recovery with a few celebrations thrown in, the yachts start to complete the return delivery.
The present target record to break is 40 hours and could now become a possibility with new high performance yachts.
How many yachts complete the race
Depending on the weather, the number of yachts may range from 80 to 110 or more.
The race track.
The track is an offshore blue water race that requires crossing the Bass Strait. The Strait and the waters to the Pacific Ocean immediately to the east of Australia is known as the Tasman Sea and is renowned for its potential to experience high winds and difficult seas.
The race primarily is constrained to the Tasman Sea but is influenced by the Strait and it’s weather as yachts transit from adjacent to the mainland towards Flinders Island. Shallower depths can influence waves and swell which can be significant.
Eden is often utilised as a sheltered option before crossing the Strait if yachts retire. This race can not be underestimated for it’s potential to create large seas and rough conditions in cold water.
The race is complex with a number of distinct milestones and components that need to be considered. A simple explanation is the start, the spin cycle, deep rinse and the finish which may result from fast moving weather patterns. Although a simple explanation, it gives you an idea of what to plan for.
Here are a few more details to assist: The start of the race is located in Sydney Harbour with a huge number of spectator vessels on the water that creates a large amount of sea chop while helicopters and film crews cover the action on the water. Once outside of Sydney heads and turning south [turn right] the Tasman Sea and Bass straight need to be managed. This is the long haul part of the race and allows the crew to settle into the routine of watches. The navigators earn their keep for this section of the race. Currents, changing wind directions and sail selections all playing a significant role. Bass Strait is a shallower section of the ocean that exists between the mainland of Australia and Tasmania. Seas, wave action and currents can change quickly creating a number of major challengers. The third component of the race is reaching Storm Bay. Storm Bay is a completely different style of racing that may vary from high winds to being becalmed and affected by currents taking you out of the Bay. The “Organ Pipes” form a significant and spectacular coastal mark to enter the Bay. If at this point you are expecting to just sail up the river a bit to the finish line, then you are in for a surprise. The Derwent River is just as or even more complex at times than other sections of the race. From most of the yachting experience and the performance seen of the yachts in the race, the shared advice between sailors is to tackle the river on the right hand side. A relaxed finish is not guaranteed. Crossing Storm Bay in your full wet weather gear and cold conditions may see light to becalmed winds and large spinnakers being dropped in earnest to manage the fast moving 35 knot head wind at 38 degree C. Expect the unexpected! Good luck.
Reaching the finish line is a major highlight as your yacht will be paraded past the wharf areas and mariner. A moving moment when you see the loud and large crowds clapping and cheering you in.
Pre Event
The pre=event activities are generally located around the Sydney Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and with Christmas day being the day before the race, the preparations need to be well in hand before the race.
The event is a spectacular sight on the Sydney Harbour with very large numbers of spectator craft moored and moving on the water. Television coverage from helicopters, on water and plane fly overs are also integral in the race.
Due to the nature of this race, it is highly recommended that you are familiar with all of the crew and are well prepared.
Post Event
Depending on the time that your race finishes, the Hobart Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania will be there to celebrate your arrival. Generally there are facilities available 24 hours a day. There are also numerous bars and restaurants buzzing with crews, family members and spectators taking part in the celebrations.
Accommodation – Where to stay
SYDNEY – there are numerous accommodation options available in the city and taxis to get to the club are recommended. Parking is very difficult on the day and leading up to the race. Traffic can also be heavy.
Accommodation options are plentiful to match your budgets and assist in getting a good nights sleep before the race. Many crews will also commute into the city from areas such as Wollongong, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
HOBART – There are limited accommodation options available close to the harbour if bookings are not made early as a result of the large influx of crews, tourists and visitors.
Challenges
This is a Category 1 race. All yachts must be single hulled, self-righting and have an overall length between 9 and 30.48 meters. Compliance is required with the Australia Sailing special regulations Cat 1.
Expect the race to be bumpy, cold and tiring with the potential of large seas and strong winds.
The course is generally well controlled from spectator fleets at the start of the race.
The weather and Bass Strait conditions can be varied.
Getting to the club on Boxing Day, getting a park and getting to your vessel can be difficult due to the large number of vessels, crew and spectators arriving for the race. In and around the city, the vantage points looking over the water are packed with people and cars looking for the best locations to to watch the race start.
Location
The Tasman Sea from Sydney NSW Australia to Hobart Tasmania Australia.
Entry Fees
The usual entry fee is around $750 AUD plus $75 AUD per crew member. Each additional handicap category also incurs a $125 AUD fee.
Birthing chargers also apply per foot per day for vessels at approximately $2/foot/per day.
Boat Availability:
In Australia, only yachts that are in survey can be chartered. Unfortunately, there are not many yachts that are in survey and appropriate to compete in the race.
Sailors Abroad recommends that boat charter is always the first thing to lock down when considering bringing a team to race.
When considering charter yachts, vessels may need to be sourced from locations such as Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or much further afield if they are available.
How do I sail this race?
Getting into this race is difficult but not impossible. You may be lucky to be able to hitch a ride but this is unlikely. Most crew will be well established a minimum of 6 months out from the race.
If you are a single crew member, there are options available for paid passage on some vessels. These options are very expensive and you will be limited in what you will be required and allowed to do.
The crew is required to have 50% or more having entered a category 1 race or an equivalent passage previously. 50% or more of the crew also need to have completed and Australia sailing sea safety survival course or approved equivalent.
At least two of the crew need to hold a current First Aid/Senior First Aid Certificate and at least two crew to have a current long range Marine Radio Operators Certificate.
The race is open to both amateurs as well as professionals but sourcing a vessel can be challenging.
Travel Visa’s
The CYCA can assist with supporting letters for visas once the crew members have submitted their entry and crew details recorded for the race.
Watching the race.
The CYCA provides tickets to spectator vessels for family and friends to watch the race from the water. Television coverage is usually on channel 7 in Australia.
What will I need to bring?
Personal Floataion Device [PFD] – with cylinder refills for auto inflate jackets. Please note that most PFD recharge cylinders should not be taken on aircraft.
Tether – dual fixing point type.
Personal Locator Beacon [PLB]. Sailors Abroad continues to recommend you consider a device like the KTI PLB for value for money and performance. Cost of ownership is approximately $25 AUD per year over the 10 year life of the device.
Good performing wet weather gear.
Thermals
Consider rough weather head gear, elbow and knee pads.
Please rate this race if you have completed it.
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Our Scores
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