Rolex Sydney Hobart
At 1300hrs local time, the cannon will signal the start, launching the fleet on their challenging course south.
Four very different looking 100 footers will lead the fleet out of Sydney Harbour. The newest boat is Master Lock Comanche, the four-time Line Honours victor and current race record holder, chartered this year by Matt Allen and James Mayo.
Last year the boat was raced as Andoo Comanche and lead much of the way but behind her and making up ground on the light and fluky River Derwent was Christian Beck’s 2008 built warhorse, LawConnect. In one of the most scintillating scenarios imaginable, the lead changed multiple times in the River with LawConnect pipping her rival to the post by 51 seconds.
Beck is back to defend, while Grant Wharington returns with Wild Thing 100, the 100-footer he extended from 80 feet in time for last year’s race. The fourth and new to the race, is Bill Barry-Cotter’s Oyster 100, Maritimo 100. Compared to the all-out racers, she enjoys a degree of creature comforts, but according to those who’ve sailed these boats, they are no slouch on the race track.
The main event of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s 628 nautical mile race is the Tattersall Cup, awarded to the Overall winner. The field is wide open, with entries from every state of Australia and six internationals representing Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, New Zealand, New Caledonia, France and the US.
Commenting on the quantity and quality of the fleet, Commodore Sam Haynes said, “As Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, I am incredibly pleased to see the entries close with 112 yachts – an excellent turnout. We’re especially proud of the continued growth of the Double Handed division since its introduction in 2021, which has established itself as an important part of the Great Race.
“It’s always exciting to welcome grand prix and international yachts to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which I believe is the most iconic 600 plus mile ocean race worldwide. However, it’s the competitors who return year after year that truly represent the heart and soul of this event. Fair winds to you all!”
Reigning champion and two time winner, Philip Turner’s RP66, Alive is back. So too is runner up, Anthony Johnston’s RP72, URM Group. The two waged a race-long battle in 2023 and we expect no less this time.
However, the weather and its patterns hold sway in the race, as does a pinch of luck, a boat’s age and how well it is sailed in the weather it encounters throughout. These factors will decide who wins in a fleet that embraces boats from 30 to 100 feet of varying designs.
Six internationals are contesting and those to watch are the Max Klink skippered TP52, Caro from New Zealand (third in 2022) and two JPK 11.80s; Ron Epstein’s brand new Bacchanal from the US and Richard Fromentin’s six-year-old French entry, Cocody. Both have runs on the board, Epstein with previous yachts.
Apart from Alive, there are five other former winners competing. The 2022 winner, Celestial, will sail as Centennial 7 for new owner, Ernesto Echauz from the Philippines. Locally, Simon Kurts’ three-time winner, Love & War, will be skippered by son Phillip. The S&S 47 is at her best in a prolonged blow and will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of her first win this year.
Unusually, nearly half the fleet is in the smaller 30-40 feet range. Among them are some from the increasingly popular Double Handed division – there are 23 this time. Standing out is Rupert Henry’s Lombard 34, Mistral, which incredibly finished sixth Overall last year and defended her 2022 Double Handed division crown too.
Jules Halls’ Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth won the division in 2021 and returns to this configuration after sailing fully crewed last year.
There is a growing participation by women sailors and there are 18 owners and/or skippers and co-skippers signed up. Two are all-female Double Handed crews who follow in the famous footsteps of Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham who are not entered this year. Others will be hoping to emulate the achievements of Adrienne Cahalan and Alice Parker who navigated Alive and URM Group to first and second Overall last year.
by Di Pearson, RSHYR Media
