Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
The Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is one of the toughest and most respected ocean races in the world. Its the only major race that starts in a harbour takes in a passage and finishes in a river.
The Rolex Sydney Hobart Race expects a fleet of 150 yachts, ranging from 36 to 100 foot in length. The electric pre-race village atmosphere at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) followed by the excitement of the build-up to the start on Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day is hard to describe.
Race Start on Boxing Day
With thousands of spectator vessels, helicopters overhead and hundreds of thousands of people lining the Sydney waterfront and cliff tops, the race start at 1 pm on Boxing Day each year is an Australian sporting tradition.
People who sail the race often say the first and last days are the most exciting. The race starts on Sydney Harbour attracts hundreds of spectator craft and hundreds of thousands of people lining the shore as helicopters buzz above the fleet, filming for TV around the world.
The final day at sea is exciting with crews fighting to beat their rivals but also looking forward to the traditional Hobart welcome, and having a drink to relax and celebrate their experience. Between the first and last days, the fleet sails past some of the most beautiful landscape and seascapes found anywhere in the world