This renowned yachting challenge was initiated in 1945 and begins each Boxing Day (26th. December) when competitors leave Sydney Harbour on a 628 nautical mile challenge to Hobart in Tasmania. |
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Sydney to Hobart 2019 guide: All you need to know about the annual yacht race
Sydney to Hobart. It's that time of year again, when the magnificent yachts light up Sydney Harbour and race south.
The 2019 edition of the famous race features a stack of familiar contenders, with the supermaxis vying for line honours amid a fleet of 157. This is the race's 75th year.
Here is all the key information.
DATE AND TIME
The Sydney to Hobart will start from Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day (December 26), at 1pm AEDT.
HOW TO WATCH/FOLLOW
Channel Seven will broadcast the start of the race live, on 7Mate.
The Sydney to Hobart website will stream the race start and also offers a race tracker throughout the dash south.
Some 600,000 people will stack various vantage points on the Sydney Harbour foreshore to watch the race begin.
Wild Oats XI at the start of last year's Sydney to Hobart. Getty
LINE HONOURS CONTENDERS
WILD OATS XI ($3.25)*: Competitive in almost all conditions, the peerless supermaxi is still a chance to increase her race record of nine line honours wins despite undergoing significant repairs after suffering damage last month.
COMANCHE ($2.80): Skipper and co-owner Jim Cooney has avoided major modifications to his imposing boat which is almost impossible to beat in favourable conditions and will push for a third line honours win.
BLACK JACK ($3.75): Widely tipped to threaten the Wild Oats XI-Comanche duopoly of recent years, this boat took line honours in 2009 as Alfa Romeo and has raced extensively this year and undergone changes.
SHK SCALLYWAG 100 ($7): The Hong Kong supermaxi has finished second and third across the line in previous attempts and was second in this year's Fastnet Race. Owner Seng Huang Lee has invested in modifications which should make her very competitive.
INFOTRACK ($10): Working on a tight budget and with a smaller crew than last year, this is the outsider among the five supermaxis, but given the right conditions she can trump the rest as she proved in 2016 as Perpetual LOYAL.
*TAB odds, correct at time of publication.
Wild Oats XI, Comanche and Scallywag at the start of last year's Sydney to Hobart. Getty
OVERALL CONTENDERS
ICHI BAN: The most consistently-successful boat in major Australian ocean races over the past couple of years, Matt Allen's TP52 looms as the boat to beat after taking overall honours in 2017 and finishing fifth in 2018.
QUEST: A two-time overall winner under different names and skippers, this is another TP52 which is always in the mix for a handicap win.
DAGUET 3: Now representing France, this 46-foot yacht has Hobart form under her original name Patrice, finishing third overall in 2017 and recently won Division 2 in the 2019 Sydney to Gold Coast race.
MAVERICK 49: This well-performed 49-footer from Guernsey has racked up good results in the Transatlantic, Middle Sea Newport- Bermuda and Transpac.races.
MIDNIGHT RAMBLER: One of the best chances if it's small-boat race, this 36-foot yacht scored overall IRC wins in the 2019 RYCT Channel and Maria Island Races.
Ichi Ban skipper Matt Allen. Getty
The Sydney to Hobart course is a thrilling 628 nautical mile stretch (about 1163km).
From Sydney Harbour, the fleet sails out into the Tasman Sea, down the south-east coast of Australia, into Bass Strait, along the Tasmanian east coast, then up the Derwent River to the finish line in Hobart.
Bass Strait, the open ocean gap between the Australian mainland and Tasmania known as 'The Paddock', is the race's trademark leg. It can be completely calm or utterly treacherous, with sailors at the mercy of the weather and their own nerves.
WEATHER FORECAST
The heavy smoke from bush fires surrounding Sydney has made weather predictions for the start of the race more difficult than usual.
However, it has become clear that this won't be a record-setting journey. Nor will conditions be extreme. It should be a decently-quick race, starting with nor-easterly winds on Boxing Day. afternoon and evening.
Forecasters are seeing a mixed bag in the looming weather that may actually favour smaller boats, such as 52-footer Ichi Ban, to some extent rather than the supermaxis.
Air quality around Sydney and its harbour has been dismal amid huge surrounding bush fires. Getty
RACE RECORD
LDV Comanche set the Sydney to Hobart race record in 2017: one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds (01:09:15.24). The time beat the record set by Perpetual LOYAL the previous year, by more than four hours.
The result was somewhat controversial, given that LDV Comanche actually finished about 27 minutes behind Wild Oats XI. Yet Wild Oats XI was penalised one hour for breaching the rules with a tacking manoeuvre at the start of the race, dropping it to second. LDV Comanche was elevated to line honours and ownership of the race record.
LDV Comanche and Wild Oats XI during their 2017 battle. Getty
RECENT WINNERS (LINE AND HANDICAP)
There are a raft of trophies on offer in the Sydney to Hobart, but the main prizes are the The George Adams Tattersall Cup, for the overall winner (on IRC rating corrected time), and the John H Illingworth Challenge Cup, for the line honours victor.
2018: Wild Oats XI (line), Alive (overall)
2017: LDV Comanche, Ichi Ban
2016: Perpetual LOYAL, Giacomo
2015: Comanche, Balance
2014: Wild Oats XI, Wild Rose
Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards takes a dip in Hobart after winning last year's race. Getty
FULL FLEET (name, sail number, state/country, type)
2 Unlimited : AUS615, TAS, Farr 40 MOD
Abbotts Vamp : 43218, WA, Corby 49
About Time : 7700, NSW, Cookson 50
Abracadabra : 5612, NSW, Tripp 47
Active Again : JPN4321, QLD, Humphreys 54
Admiral : 7272, NSW, Sydney 38
Airstream : 6597, NSW, Wauquiez Centurion 40s
Alive : 52566, TAS, Reichel Pugh 66
Allegro : 6723, NSW, Warwick 67
Anger Management FLG : 6836, WA, Salona 44
Another Painkiller: 7447, QLD, Beneteau 44.7
Arcadia: S17, VIC, Archambault 40 RC
Arch Rival: 415, NSW, Inglis/Jones 40
Audacious: SA332, SA, Sydney 38
Audere: B454, VIC, Beneteau First 45
Banter: 6669, QLD, Beneteau First 45
Black Jack: 525100, Monaco, RP100
Black Sheep: 33345, TAS, Beneteau First 45
Blink: B40, NSW, Beneteau First 40
Blue Water Tracks: B1, VIC, Moody DS54
Bounty Brassware Our Rush: RQ432, QLD, DK46
Bush Paul Group: 5200, NSW, TP52
Business as Usual: 6262, NSW, Sydney 40 CR
Cailin Lomhara: USA61268, USA, Tayana 52
Carrera S: AUS49005, VIC, Marten 49
Cartouche: B10, VIC, Beneteau First 50
Celestial: SM9535, NSW, TP 52
Chancellor: 8824, NSW, Beneteau 47.7
Charlotte: AUS257, NSW, CNB76
Chinese Whisper: AUS13, NSW, JV 62
Chutzpah: R33, VIC, Caprice 40
Cinquante: 5038, NSW, Sydney 38
Comanche: AUS12358, NSW, 100 Supermaxi
Copernicus: 6689, NSW, Radford 12
Crush: EF3601, WA, Jeanneau Sunfast 3600
Crystal Cutter III: 6661, NSW, Beneteau 40.7
Daguet: FRA43842, France, Mylius 50
Dare Devil: RF5095, NSW, Farr/Cookson 47
Dark and Stormy: SM69, VIC, Custom 37
Diamach Enterprise: 77011, NSW, Lexcen 40
Dream: RP118, QLD, Inglis 38
Dreki Sunnan: 1545, NSW, Beneteau First 45
Enchantress: SA346, SA, Muirhead 11
Encore: 00100, QLD, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49
Enigma: GBR5790R, NSW, Beneteau First 47.7
Enterprise: F1701, WA, Farr 40
Envy Scooters: RQ0052, QLD, TP 52
Euphoria: 7133, NSW, J133
Eve: 8565, NSW, Swan 65
Extasea: G10007, VIC, Cookson 50
Faster Forward: R6155, VIC, Sydney 38
Fidelis: 45, NSW, Knud Reimers 61
Filepro: A22, TAS, Lyons 40
Flying Fish Arctos: 7551, NSW, McIntyre 55
Frantic: GBR5211L, NSW, TP52 Donovan
G.Y.R. Ragamuffin 50: AUS70, NSW, Farr 50
Galaxy III: R261, NSW, S & S 39
Goat: 7027, NSW, Sydney 38
Great Xpectations: 6343, NSW, X43
Gun Runner: 3867, NSW, Jarkan
Gweilo: 052, NSW, TP 52
Happy Wanderer: ESP6100, NSW, JV52
Hartbreaker: B330, VIC, Reichel Pugh 46
Helsal 3: 262, NSW, Adams 20
Highly Sprung: AUS7771, NSW, Beneteau 45
Hollywood Boulevard: AUS8899, NSW, Farr 55
HYC Breakthrough: AUS6834, Ireland, Beneteau First 40
Ichi Ban: AUS001, NSW, Botin 52
Imagination: 35, NSW, First 47.7
Imalizard: 6893, NSW, Welbourn 12
InfoTrack: SYD1000, NSW, Juan-K 100
Insomnia: 65007, NSW, JV 42
Jaffa: R39, WA, Runnalls 39
Katwinchar: CYC8, NSW
Kialoa II: AUS7742, NSW, S & S Yawl
King Billy: 4966, NSW, Custom/John King
Kioni Robotic Automation: 0477, NSW, Beneteau First 47.7
Koa: 52152, NSW, TP52
Komatsu Azzurro: 3430, NSW, S & S 34
LCE Showtime: 8338, NSW, Ker 40
Lexi: 7234, NSW, X-412 Modern
Local Hero: 1236, NSW, BH36
Love & War: 294, NSW, S & S 47
Magic Miles: TYC4, TAS, Dynamique 62
Mahligai: NZL1, NSW, Sydney 46
Mako: N40, NSW, Sydney 40
Maserati: ITA70, Poland, Volvo 70
Matrix: 41, QLD, X 41
Maverick: SM3600, VIC, Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600
Maverick 49: GBR4945R, Guernsey, Infiniti 46r
Mayfair: W1424, QLD, Beneteau First 40
Midnight Rambler: ST36, TAS, Sydney 36
Mille Sabords: 7174, NSW, Sydney 38
Minerva: 6837, NSW, DK 43
Mister Lucky: RQ3600, QLD, Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600
Mistral: M1, NSW, Lombard 34
Moody Buoys: G54, VIC, Moody 54DS
Natelle Two: 2555, TAS, Peterson 41 2 Tonne
Nautical Circle: A169, NSW, A40
Naval Group: AUS1, NSW, Reichel Pugh 69
Navy One: 040, NSW, Beneteau First 40
Night Nurse: 9009, QLD, Farr 40
No Limit: AUS98888, NSW, Reichel Pugh 63
Ocean Crusaders: RQ4077, QLD, Beneteau 40.7
Ocean Gem: 8810, QLD, Beneteau 445
Optimus Prime: CR1, WA, Marten 49
Oroton Drumfire: CAY6536, NSW, Hoek TC78
Oskana: AUS5299, TAS, Cookson 50
Packaponch Scamp: B45, QLD, Beneteau First 45
Papillon: 6841, NSW, Archambault 40RC
Patriot: SM133, VIC, J133
Pekljus: 6419, NSW, Radford 50
Pretty Woman: 545, NSW, IC 45 MOD
Primitive Cool: S777, VIC, RP51
Protagonist: H140, VIC, Beneteau First 40
Quest: 52002, NSW, TP 52
Quetzalcoatl: 2001, NSW, Jones 40
Reve: 5930, NSW, Beneteau 45F5
Rogue Wave : 6921, NSW, Sigma 36
Rush: B45, VIC, Farr 45
SailExchange: 7709, NSW, Cookson 12
Santana: M236, NSW, Swan 43
Secret Mens Business 1: 8300, NSW, Murray 42
She: 4924, QLD, Olsen 40
She's Apples II: 4527, TAS, Jarkan 12.5
She's The Culprit : 370, NSW, Inglis/Jones 39
SHK Scallywag 100: HKG2276, Hong Kong, Dovell 100
Sintara: YC110S, SA, Beneteau 47.7
Smuggler: 6952, NSW, JV TP52
Snowdome Occasional Coarse Language Too: 8008, NSW, Sydney GTS 43
Solutions: 3242, NSW, Dehler 41
Soozal: 60408, NSW, King 40
Spirit of Freya: 5903, TAS, Jeanneau Sunfast 36
St Jude: 6686, NSW, Sydney 47
Stay Calm Hungary: HUN108, Hungary, TP52
Sticky: A164, NSW, Salona 38
SWD Kayle: 7878, NSW, Lyons 54
Sweet Chariot: 6084, NSW, Buizen 48
Take Five: 3639, TAS, Traditional 30
Team Runaway: B101, TAS, Sayer 11
Tribal Warrior: M772, NSW, Beneteau 47.7
TSA Management: MH60, NSW, Sydney 38
Turbulence: H602, QLD, Adams 11.9
URM: 60272, NSW, Reichel Pugh Maxi 72
Van Diemen III: 64, TAS, Muir 64
Ward Civil Yeah Baby: A5, NSW, Welbourn 50
Wax Lyrical: 248, NSW, X 50
White Noise: SM1245, VIC, M.A.T 1245
Wicked: SM4, VIC, Beneteau First 40
Wild Oats XI: 10001, NSW, RP100
Willie Smith's Philosopher: 20, TAS, Sydney 36CR Mod
Windrose: 660, TAS, S & S 48
Wings: 07, NSW, Dehler 46
Wonderland: GBR9166T, NSW, Beneteau Oceanis 473
Wots Next: 6559, NSW, Sydney 47
XS Moment BNMH: 11744, NSW, XP44
Zen: 52001, NSW, TP52
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Sydney to Hobart 2019: Comanche claims line honours ahead of Infotrack
Comanche has claimed Sydney to Hobart line honours after a nail biting last few miles as they entered the final straight to the line.
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Comanche made the bold move to track further out to sea than the rest of the supermaxis in the 2019 edition of the Sydney to Hobart race after departing the Sydney Harbour.
The masterstroke tactic paid off as Comanche sailed past its competitors and claimed line honours on Saturday morning in the 75th edition of the famous race.
It wasn’t smooth sailing for the race leader however as they entered the Derwent River and were brought to a complete standstill as the wind died.
Comanche sat waiting with the crew praying the wind would pick up, it did but only for a short time and the supermaxi was once again left treading water.
Comanche has come to a complete standstill in the middle of the River Derwent. Literally just stopped! @WINNews_Tas pic.twitter.com/bDcnLnarll — Brent Costelloe (@brentcostelloe) December 27, 2019
As the crew stood waiting for the wind to return, Infotrack in second place came into sight and began to close the gap on the race leader.
In 2018 Comanche was pipped in the run home by Wild Oats XI and it looked like it may be a case of history repeating as the gap between the two yachts continued to shrink.
Thankfully the wind picked up enough for Comanche as the yacht sailed into Constitution Dock and crossed the line to claim honours in the 75th edition of the Sydney to Hobart race.
The win makes it the third time Comanche crossed the finishing line just after 7:30am (AEDT) to claim line honours for the third time after winning in 2015 and 2017.
We have a winner! Comanche takes @rshyr line honours. @10NewsFirst @10NewsFirstMelb @10Daily pic.twitter.com/MIFVvYu5j6 — Annie Kearney (@anniemaykearney) December 27, 2019
Comanche skipper Jim Cooney says the final stretch was as nerve racking as he could remember as the yacht stopped in the water.
“Very nervous. I turned around and saw Infotrack and started having flashbacks of 2018,” Cooney said.
The official time was clocked at 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes and 24 seconds. Roughly nine hours behind the race record.
InfoTrack closed the line around 49 minutes after Comanche to finish second in the race.
Skipper of Comanche Jim Cooney gives his crew a champagne shower ð¾ð¾ð¾ 2019 Line Honours champions in the #sydneytohobart @abchobart @abcnews pic.twitter.com/B8JuDM0mUv — Annah Fromberg (@AnnahFromberg) December 27, 2019
On behalf of the Oatley family, Skipper Mark Richards and the entire Wild OatsXi crew, we would like to congratulate Comanche on taking Line Honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2019. @rshyr @TeamComanche pic.twitter.com/mJ9YghRF6C — Wild Oats XI (@WildOatsXI) December 27, 2019
Comanche regained the lead on Friday evening after taking a wider route across Bass Strait before extending her advantage down Tasmania’s east coast.
SYDNEY TO HOBART LINE HONOURS RESULTS
1: Comanche — 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes, 24 seconds
2: InfoTrack — 1 day, 19 hours, 14 minutes, 42 seconds
3: Wild Oats XI — 1 day, 20 hours, 12 minutes, 52 seconds
4: SHK Scallywag 100 — 1 day, 20 hours, 13 minutes, 30 seconds
5: Black Jack — 1 day, 20 hours, 28 minutes, 56 seconds
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Two elite schoolboys, one from Wavell SHS and the other from Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, have shared the prestigious Justin Hodges Medal as best player of the Langer Trophy.
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Duel in the dark as three-boat race for Sydney to Hobart win looms on Weds morning
There’s a tight tussle for line honours in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race as Black Jack, LawConnect and SHK Scallywag headed toward a possible “neck and neck” finish on the River Derwent.
Across Tuesday SHK Scallywag had closed the gap in third place as further retirements cut the original fleet of 88 yachts to 52, with harsh conditions forcing withdrawals due to damage or minor crew injuries - most coming on the first day.
The three super maxis were vying for the top spot heading down Tasmania’s east coast with the possibility of the duel continuing right up to Hobart.
On Tuesday morning, Black Jack had regained a six nautical mile lead on LawConnect.
“They are neck and neck at the moment,” Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Noel Cornish told media in Hobart.
Light winds for most of Tuesday then saw the leaders slow down, often being within sight of each other. Some of the race stragglers may not finish until January 4.
A Wednesday morning finish, likely before sunset, was expected.
“We are looking forward to a good day, and to where we will end up this afternoon and evening,” said Black Jack navigator Alex Nolan.
“Everyone is very well on board. Everyone is very happy. We are pushing it very hard.” Weather is critical in the 628-nautical-mile (1,200-km) race down Australia’s east coast to Hobart, one of the world’s most challenging ocean events.
Six men died, five boats sank, and 55 sailors were rescued during the 1998 event when a deep depression exploded over the fleet in the Bass Strait.
But this year, organisers also faced the trials of a global pandemic, which already nixed last year’s edition -- cancelling the event for the first time since it began in 1945.
Before the start, four yachts were forced to retire, leaving 88 entrants at the starting line, including 17 two-handed crafts, which are allowed to take part for the first time.
It was a sharp reduction from the 157 boats that set out in 2019. Though the first yacht to reach the finishing line grabs most public attention, the main prize for sailors is regarded as the handicap honours, which take account of the size of the yachts.
RETIREMENTS (As of 7.30pm, December 27)
Alive - hull damage
Ariel - Mainsail damage
Blink - torn main sail
Chancellor - sail damage
Crystal Cutter - mainsail damage
Denali - damage to hull
Enchantress - broken forestay
Extasea - engine issues
Gweilo - Forestay damage
Huntress - mainsail damage
Kialoa II - rig damage
King Billy - rigging damage
Mako - damaged mainsail
Mille Sabords - torn mainsail
Minerva - mainsail damage
Moneypenny - broken headstay
Nautical Circle - rigging issues
No Limit - heading to Sydney
Oskana - broken forestay
Oz Design Patrice Six - engine issues
Philosopher - heading to Sydney
TSA Management - mainsail damage
URM - damaged mainsail
Wax Lyrical - equipment damage
White Noise - window damage
Zara - uknown.
Zen - injured crew
Eora - broken backstay
Hip-Nautic - damaged mainsail
Inukshuk - autopilot issues
Kayimai - engine issues
Hells Bells - engine issues
Maverick - rudder damage
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Sydney to Hobart yacht race: LawConnect wins Sydney to Hobart line honours after two-way river battle
Topic: Sailing
In a finish for the ages, LawConnect has sensationally overtaken Andoo Comanche in the final moments to snatch line honours in the 2023 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Andoo Comanche held the lead a lot more comfortably when rounding the Tasman Peninsula and entering the River Derwent for the final sprint, but LawConnect started to rapidly gain on them.
LawConnect and Andoo Comanche racing to the finish line. ( ABC News: Maren Preuss )
The two crews could wave to each other, if they wanted to. ( ABC News: Maren Preuss )
The speedier LawConnect closed several nautical miles between them along the river until they were neck and neck to a nail-biting finish.
LawConnect's finish time in the end was 1 day, 19 hours, 3 minutes and 58 seconds. Andoo Comanche's was just 51 seconds behind.
If you're new to the Sydney to Hobart race, we've got a shortcut guide at the bottom of the story. Tap the link below to get the gist of the race: Explained: Common Sydney to Hobart yacht race questions
The LawConnect crew celebrate their win. ( ABC News: Maren Preuss )
LawConnect owner Christian Beck described their dramatic win as a dream come true.
"I can't believe that result. Honestly, it's a dream come true," he said.
"I never thought it was possible, actually."
Despite trailing by a significant margin as they passed the Iron Pot on the final approach, LawConnect had the advantage of being able to watch Andoo Comanche to see where the slow spots were.
LawConnect entered with a protest flag flying, after being on standby for about 30 minutes during the race due to concerns Andoo Comanche was in distress, but a formal protest was not lodged.
There was also some interference from a spectator boat in the final moments, with a catamaran passing close to Andoo Comanche and the crew being seen yelling and gesturing.
Tasmania Police said this afternoon action would be taken against a 57-year-old man for "allegedly breaching" marine and safety regulations.
"The man was skippering a private vessel when it reportedly encroached into the exclusion zone set by Marine and Safety Tasmania," it said in a statement.
The offence carries a fine of up to $3,900.
Sailing master Tony Mutter said spectator boats were something the competitors had to deal with.
"It's pretty fair that everyone had troubles with the spectator boats. That's part of it when it's so busy," he said.
Andoo Comanche skipper John Winning Jr said they only had themselves to blame for the last-minute loss.
LawConnect is racing to the Sydney to Hobart finish line. ( ABC News: Megan Whitfield )
"We should have been miles ahead of them with our boat," he said.
"The conditions suited us, I think they just outsailed us."
First local boat home
URM Group has claimed third place line honours, crossing the finish line at 3:07pm to record a race time of 2 days, 2 hours, 7 minutes and 19 seconds.
The first Tasmanian yacht to finish, Alive, crossed the line almost 12 minutes later.
Alive is currently in first place to win overall handicap honours.
Four yachts have now docked at Kings Pier, with Moneypenny and Wild Thing 100 expected to be the next to arrive.
Live Moment
Join us for the finish of the 2023 Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Possible problem?
In the final moments, a catamaran appeared to cut in front of Andoo Comanche as the boat turned into the finish.
Eyewitness accounts say crew on Comanche were yelling at the catamaran to move as they tried to turn.
Could this make for an official race protest? We'll have to see.
After leading all the way into the River Derwent, Andoo Comanche won't make it back-to-back Line Honours wins. LawConnect snatched it away from them at the last moment!
How incredible. These boats set off together three days ago and it came down to mere seconds to the finish.
Andoo Comanche was in the lead when it approached the Tasman Peninsula this morning. ( Supplied: Andrea Francolini )
It has been a testing 78th edition of the Sydney to Hobart, with a man overboard, stormy seas, damaged yachts and rapid wind changes.
Eleven boats have retired, including race favourite SHK Scallywag, which broke its bow sprit on the first day.
The skipper of two-handed Rum Rebellion, Shane Connelly, was sent overboard at 6pm on Boxing Day after encountering rapid wind changes off the coast between Cronulla and Wollongong.
Two-handed Currawong also retired, after facing various issues in rough conditions off New South Wales.
Owner Kathy Veel said they were disappointed but believed they made the right decision.
"Last night was quite difficult and there was a lot more of that ahead of us in a long race," she said.
They were the last boat to cross the finishing line at last year's event, making a well-received arrival in Hobart at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Your questions answered
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions.
Who won Sydney to Hobart 2023?
When we talk about the Sydney to Hobart race, there are two major "winners":
- Line honours: This is the order in which boats cross the finish line.
- Overall winners: The order of winners once race times have been calculated to take into account the differences between boats (handicaps). This is because the boats aren't exactly the same — adjustments have to be made for things like the weight and length of the boat.
Line honours will always go to the biggest, fastest yachts (supermaxis) but is likely one of the smaller vessels will be crowned the overall winner (which is seen as the more prestigious of the two prizes).
Here's the line honours as of Thursday morning:
- Andoo Comanche
The difference between the two was just 51 seconds.
But the overall winner won't be decided for days.
Until then, we can only wait.
However, before the race, there were a few main contenders for the overall title – here they are listed in alphabetical order:
- SHK Scallywag
Who owns LawConnect?
Christen Beck.
Mr Beck is the founder of a legal software company, which he created off the back of building a system for his father's legal firm in the 90s.
In 2017, he was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2018, he was ranked 99th on the Financial Review's Rich List .
Who owns Andoo Comanche?
John 'Herman' Winning Jnr.
He's the chief executive of Winning Appliances, a company started by his great grandfather in 1906.
Mr Winning Jnr took over the role from his father in 2011.
How far is the Sydney to Hobart distance?
It's a 628-nautical-mile course – that's 1,163 kilometres .
Starting at Sydney Harbour, the course runs down the south-east coast of Australia, across the Bass Strait before turning into the Derwent River to finish in Hobart.
It usually takes about 48 hours for the first boat to cross the finish line.
What is a nautical mile?
A nautical mile is the equivalent to 1.852 kilometres .
It's an internationally used standardised term used for maritime navigation, based on the Earth's latitude and longitude coordinates.
A nautical mile is the equivalent of one minute of latitude.
Because of this, a nautical mile is slightly longer than land mile.
How many boats are in the Sydney to Hobart race?
There's 103 this year.
What is the prize for Sydney to Hobart?
There's no prize money – just trophies. Here's the two main ones:
- JH Illingworth Challenge Cup: This is for the line honours winner – which is the first boat to cross the finish line.
- Tattersalls Cup: This goes to the overall winner.
What's the Sydney to Hobart record?
The line honours record is 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds .
It was set in 2017 by LDV Comanche.
If you've got even more questions, go read out Sydney to Hobart explainer or tap the link below to jump back to the top of the story.
Take me back to the top to read the recap
IMAGES
COMMENTS
The 2019 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was the 75th annual running of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. [ 2] Hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia sponsored by Rolex, it began on Sydney Harbour at 13:00 on 26 December 2019, before heading south for 628 nautical miles (1,163 km) via the Tasman Sea, Bass Strait, Storm Bay and up the River ...
This is a list of Winners for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race since 1945. [1] Line honours winners. Year Sail number Yacht State/country Yacht type LOA (Metres) Skipper Elapsed time d:hh:mm:ss 1945 ... 2019 AUS001 Ichi Ban [5] Botin TP52: 15.90 Matt Allen IRC 3:04:11:05 2020 Race cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. [6] 2021 AUS001 Ichi Ban ...
The final boat to finish the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, local Tasmanian boat Take Five, has arrived at Constitution Dock. Skipper Ian Gannon said his crew endured storms and almost exhausted supplies but were elated to make it to the finish line in an elapsed time of five days, 23 hours and 41 minutes.
10.15AM: ALL five supermaxis in the 2019 Sydney to Hobart have now finished the 628-nautical-mile blue water classic, with race-record holder Comanche taking line honours. The Jim Cooney and ...
2019: Comanche (USA) 01.18.30.24: Ichi Ban (NSW) 2020: Race abandoned due to Covid: 2021 saw the introduction of a new category to the race; 'Two handed', for craft operated by only 2 persons. The inaugural winner was the Tasmanian yacht, 'Sidewinder'. This category will be included in future results. TWO HANDED: 2021: Black Jack: 02.12.37.17 ...
Sydney to Hobart 2019: Comanche takes line honours, updates, tracker, finishing order. Ichi Ban has officially won the Sydney to Hobart for a second time with the win confirmed - two days after ...
The 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, run by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, is the historic 75th race!
InfoTrack leads the fleet through Sydney Heads and south to Hobart in ideal, if smoky conditions at the start of the 75th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 2019. The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is an annual event hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, starting in Sydney, New South Wales, on Boxing Day and finishing in Hobart, Tasmania.
The expectations for this year's race are for the first boat to get to Hobart roughly 12 hours outside Comanche's race record of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, 24 seconds.
The 2019 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was the 75th annual running of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia sponsored by Rolex, it began on Sydney Harbour at 13:00 on 26 December 2019, before heading south for 628 nautical miles via the Tasman Sea, Bass Strait, Storm Bay and up the River Derwent, to cross the finish line in Hobart, Tasmania.
The 75th edition of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race is set to get underway, as always, at lunch time on Boxing Day. Join The Roar for live updates and coverage of the big event from 12:30pm (AEDT).
December 25, 2019 - 4.20pm. Sydney to Hobart. It's that time of year again, when the magnificent yachts light up Sydney Harbour and race south. The 2019 edition of the famous race features a stack of familiar contenders, with the supermaxis vying for line honours amid a fleet of 157. This is the race's 75th year.
It was a thrilling battle for first-to-the-line honours in the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart!The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart was t...
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is pleased to invite eligible boats to enter 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The 79th edition of the historic 628-nautical mile blue water classic will start on Sydney Harbour at 1300 hrs AEDT on Thursday 26 December 2024. Full Story.
On behalf of the Oatley family, Skipper Mark Richards and the entire Wild OatsXi crew, we would like to congratulate Comanche on taking Line Honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2019 ...
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. YEAR RACETIME. IRC. PHS. Corinthian - IRC. Corinthian - PHS. 2-Handed IRC. 2-Handed PHS. 2-Handed Line Honours.
Yacht Tracker - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Year 2024 2023 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 ...
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Statistics (1945-2019) Cruising Yacht Club of Australia since 1945: 75 Number of yachts to have competed (1945-2019): 6,257 have. ompleted the race (1036 retired or were disqualified). The 2020 Rolex Sy. to have competed: About 60,061 between 1945 and 201 Largest fleets: 371 starters in the 50th race in 1994 (309 ...
After its victory in 2018, Alive came close again in 2019, but placed fourth. Last year she finished 10th. ... the Title Partner of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, ... Hobart race Video Interviews with some of the arrivals on Day Five of the 2023 Sydney Hobart race Posted on 30 Dec 2023 Sydney Hobart - Magnificent Results
There's a tight tussle for line honours in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race as Black Jack, LawConnect and SHK Scallywag headed toward a possible "neck and neck" finish on the River Derwent ...
Posted on 30 Dec 2023 Mistral has what it takes to win race The first two-handed entry to finish the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race Rupert Henry believes his two-handed boat, Mistral, can one day win the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race overall after he sailed the Lombard 34 to an impressive finish today.
Sydney to Hobart yacht race: LawConnect wins Sydney to Hobart line honours after two-way river battle. Topic: Sailing. Wed 27 Dec Wednesday 27 December Wed 27 Dec 2023 at 7:22pm.
The 2018 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was the 74th annual running of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and sponsored by Rolex, it began at Sydney Harbour at 13:00 on 26 December 2018, before heading south for 628 nautical miles (1,163 km) via the Tasman Sea, Bass Strait, Storm Bay and up the River Derwent, to cross the finish line in Hobart, Tasmania.