weather for sydney to hobart yacht race 2023

From left to right, Gabrielle Woodhouse, David Henry, Alice Parker, Chris Wild, Kathy Veel, Adrienne Cahalan | Andrea Francolini

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Long Range Weather Forecast

Uncertain forecast makes for a tense lead in to Rolex Sydney Hobart

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race crews face a tense week preparing for myriad race scenarios due the ‘significant uncertainty’ of the long range weather forecast each year.

In its long range forecast presented on Monday at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, organisers of the 628 nautical mile race, Gabrielle Woodhouse, Senior Meteorologist from the NSW Bureau of Meteorology [BOM] said it is too early to make a precise indication.

That is due to the high temperatures and humidity across NSW in recent days that are also set to continue leading up to the 1pm Boxing Day start next Tuesday.

Woodhouse said the BOM should have a clearer picture of what’s in store for the 107-strong fleet by the weekend.

She said the best indication now was for a light south-westerly wind at the start with rain and the chance of thunderstorms later.

A low pressure system is expected over the Tasman, but when that hits is also uncertain.

“It’s too hard to say. The spread of scenarios is too huge,” Woodhouse said on Monday.

“At this stage, it’s most likely that the race will begin with some kind of south or south-westerly wind, and during the race, probably we will see some rain and some thunderstorms.

“There’s significant uncertainty, and with that prospect of a potential low pressure system, somewhere over the Tasman Sea.

“What we’ll see at the moment, for at least the next few days, is quite a bit of movement in some of those forecasts. And we’ll start to narrow that down during the weekend.”

For every boat in the 100-plus strong fleet, the huge question mark over the forecast calls for a busy time in the coming days for the navigators to be prepared for anything.

For the David Witt-skippered Dovell 100,  SHK Scallywag,  the situation could well vindicate the decision to have two navigators on board – Juan Vila and Chris Wild.

The Hong Kongregistered boat is one of four maxi yachts in this year’s race in which they are traditionally the Line Honours favourites. The other maxis are the defending Line Honours champion  Andoo Comanche , along with  LawConnect  and the new  Wild Thing 100.

Asked about the decision to have two navigators on  SHK Scallywag , Wild said: “Navigation is a little bit like a department than a role. There’re multiple facets to it, especially on a maxi.

“With [uncertain] conditions, it’s a good call to have that capability, especially for the second half of the race.

“You do a lot of planning before you leave and then you get to stay on your toes in the second half of the race.”

Adrienne Cahalan, navigator of the Phillip Turner owned and Duncan Hine skippered Reichel/Pugh 66  Alive,  said: “We will really have to look at all the different scenarios, including some of the worst ones.

“I can’t really think of a year when it’s been, you know, so much rain, so much moisture, and so much uncertainty in the forecast.

Alice Parker, navigator of the Reichel/Pugh 72  URM Group,  said of the BOM forecast: “It’s such a moving picture.

“I find it a little bit exciting when the forecast is this uncertain because anything can happen and there’ll be opportunities for little boats and opportunities for big boats.”

Kathy Veel, owner/co-skipper with Bridget Canham of Currawong 30  Currawong  saidthat for the race in the Two-Handed division, she was not overly concerned about the uncertainty.

With Currawong being last to finish last year, Veel is used to handling numerous systems.

 “I made a point really of not looking too closely at the weather until a couple of days out, because you can’t control it, you’re not going to change it,” Veel said.

“There’s a lot of other things to worry about. So why worry about the weather a week out?”

David Henry, owner/co-skipper and navigator of the two-handed entry, the Sydney 36,  Philosopher,  is also preparing for the long haul.

 “The only thing we definitely know at this stage is we don’t know. I’m just hoping for more good news at the end,” he said.

“We don’t have one weather system to worry about, we probably have at least two weather systems to get through.

“We have double trouble when it comes to trying to predict what the weather is going to be.

“What we see on Boxing Day is one weather pattern. A day or so after that, we’re looking further down the track, because we’ll probably take three or four days to get there.”

Written by Rupert Guinness | RSHYR Media Internationally, the race will be available through YouTube on  CYCATV  or on Facebook  Rolex Sydney Hobart page .  For the full list of entries and more information about the race, visit  rolexsydneyhobart.com . 

ALSO ON MYSAILING

Carbon Yachts present the Virtue V10 T-Top at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 2024

SailGP: Robertson comments that the race to third is wide open

World Sailing Council passes Transgender Participation Policy

USA picks up on Australian made JPK11.80’s

GSC Route for 2027-2028

Oliver Heer finishes 25th IMOCA in the Transat CIC “I went through a nightmare”

Worrell 1000 Legs 3 & 4

Formula Kite World Champs – Day 3

Marinas24 starts in 10 days

CYCA Postpones Sydney Noumea Yacht Race

Palm Beach Motor Yachts will be Official Motoryacht Partner for 52 Super Series regattas in Newport

J/70 World Champs in Palma reaches total limit for entries

Join Our Newsletter

• Name First Last
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Read all of the latest sailing news

Dinghy and Yacht Racing News

News from the offshore world

Cruising Stories from around the world

Boats & Gear

The latest boats and yachting gear

Watch everything sailing and boating

Latest Sailing News, Racing, Cruising, Boats, Gear and more

Thunderstorms, rain and hail threaten to put a damper on Sydney to Hobart Boxing Day race

Sailing crews are bracing themselves and their boats for potentially dangerous weather during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Key points:

• BOM said there is "uncertainty" to the Sydney to Hobart forecast on Boxing Day
• Rain, wind speed and thunderstorms could create dangerous conditions to the race
• Competitor Jessica Watson said the weather could work to her advantage

The Bureau of Meteorology says thunderstorms could bring rain, strong winds, and even hail to parts of the course.

Weather forecaster Gabrielle Woodhouse briefed teams at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Sunday morning, as they met for their final briefing before Tuesday.

She said that while the race may kick off with some sunshine in Sydney Harbour, the most dangerous stretch will be the notorious Bass Strait crossing.

"When you have sudden changes in the wind speed and direction, that can be quite dangerous, and that is what we're looking at with these storms.

"Add into that mix of potentially some hail, it does make for some dangerous conditions," she added.

But Ms Woodhouse said there was a particularly high degree of uncertainty around this year's forecast.

"There is an inherent amount of uncertainty about the trough's location and what conditions you'll see on the water," she said.

Some 113 teams will be competing in the 78th Sydney to Hobart race organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

The speed record for the estimated 1,170 kilometre journey was set in 2017 by LDV Comanche, which completed the race in 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.

Last year's Andoo Comanche was first across the finish line with a time of 1 day, 11 hours, 56 minutes and 48 seconds.

'Wouldn't mind a bit of breeze'

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) also warned of "widespread unsettled weather" in the state, predicted to last until Tuesday.

North Eastern Zone Commander at the SES, Gregory Swidells said there could be up to 100 to 150 millimetres of rainfall between Sunday and Boxing Day.

Record-breaking circumnavigator Jessica Watson is competing this year in the 34-foot Azzurro, and believes the stormy weather might work to her advantage.

"We're a boat that I think will do quite well in a bit of wind, so obviously thunder and lightning is not something that anyone wants but actually wouldn't mind a bit of breeze," the renowned sailor said.

But for Ms Watson, there's more on the line this year than a race win.

She recently lost her partner to a stroke and is sailing to raise awareness and funds for preventative treatment.

"I actually met my late partner Cam competing in this race, as part of the youngest ever team to compete in it, years ago, so for me coming back this year and sailing in support of the Stroke Foundation is really important."

Carl Crafoord is one of the sailors aboard Wild Thing 100, one of the four maxi-yachts in contention for this year's line honours.

"I don't know how dangerous it's going to be but the boat's well prepared and the people are well organised and have experience, so we'll be able to handle the conditions," Mr Crafoord said.

The 100-foot maxi yacht underwent a major renovation this year, with a significant extension to the hull.

"We are well prepared but there's still a few jobs to do on the list but we'll get through those and we'll be ready on Boxing Day."

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

'very dangerous' storm hits south-east queensland as christmas heavy weather begins.

Severe storms to light up eastern Australia's Christmas

Christmas Day weather forecast for your city as Jasper threat remains

• Motor Sports
• Weather Phenomena

• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: Long Range Weather Forecast Conference

Related Articles

Your Teams. All Sources.

© 2024 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC.

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Long Range Weather Forecast Revealed by Senior Meteorologist

Long range weather forecast for the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race remains uncertain due to high temperatures and humidity, with potential for a light south-westerly wind at the start and rain/thunderstorms during the race. Organizers express significant uncertainty, requiring navigators to prepare for multiple scenarios.

The uncertain weather forecast poses a significant challenge for the 107-strong fleet, requiring meticulous preparation and adaptability to navigate the potential race scenarios.

• 628 nautical miles: Length of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
• 107-strong fleet: Expected participants in the race
• Navigators are preparing for various scenarios due to the significant uncertainty in the long range weather forecast.
• The race is set to begin with a light south-westerly wind and potential rain/thunderstorms during the event.

Navigators and crews will continue to monitor the evolving weather forecast, preparing for potential race scenarios based on the latest updates.

The uncertainty in the long range weather forecast necessitates meticulous preparation and adaptability from navigators and crews to navigate potential race scenarios, adding significant complexity to the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Read more at www.sail-world.com

The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI

www.sail-world.com • Rupert Guinness | RSHYR Media

2023 RSHYR: Long Range Weather Forecast Conference

Top leagues, think your team or athlete is better show us, submit your story, photo or video.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.

OK Privacy policy

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

Skip to main content (press enter)

New South Wales Weather and Warnings

• NSW Weather & Warnings
• Warnings Summary
• Sydney Forecast
• NSW Forecast Area Map
• Observations
• Sydney Observations
• All NSW Observations
• Rainfall & River Conditions

Victoria Weather and Warnings

• VIC Weather & Warnings
• Melbourne Forecast
• Vic. Forecast Areas Map
• Melbourne Observations
• All Victorian Observations

Queensland Weather and Warnings

• QLD Weather & Warnings
• Brisbane Forecast
• Qld. Forecast Areas Map
• Brisbane Observations
• All Queensland Observations

Western Australia Weather & Warnings

• WA Weather & Warnings
• Perth Forecast
• WA Forecast Areas Map
• Perth Observations
• All WA Observations

South Australia Weather and Warnings

• SA Weather & Warnings
• Adelaide Forecast
• SA Forecast Area Map
• Adelaide Observations
• All SA Observations

Tasmania Weather and Warnings

• TAS Weather & Warnings
• Hobart Forecast
• Tas. Forecast Areas Map
• Hobart Observations
• All Tasmanian Observations

Australian Capital Territory Weather and Warnings

• ACT Weather & Warnings
• Canberra Forecast
• ACT Forecast
• Canberra Observations

Northern Territory Weather and Warnings

• NT Weather & Warnings
• Warning Summary
• Darwin and Rural Forecast
• NT Forecast Areas Map
• Darwin Observations
• All NT Observations

National Weather and Warnings

• National Weather & Warnings
• Major Cities
• Radar Images
• Weather Maps
• Satellite Images

Warnings current

• Tropical Cyclone
• Flood conditions
• Tropical cyclones
• Tsunami warning system
• Marine weather warning system
• Bureau Home  > 
• Newsroom  > 
• Media Releases  > 

Bureau of Meteorology monitoring marine weather conditions ahead of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

The Bureau of Meteorology is at the ready to provide important weather and safety information for the 2023 Sydney to Hobart yacht race, with meteorologists keeping watch on a weather system that may bring adverse marine conditions to western parts of the Tasman Sea between Christmas and New Year.

Senior meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse from the Bureau’s New South Wales Hazard Preparedness and Response team has been providing a series of marine safety and weather briefings to navigators and crews in the lead-up to the race,

"We're currently expecting light east to southeast winds, partly cloudy skies and the chance of a shower or thunderstorm developing over Sydney and along the New South Wales coast for the start of the race,“ Ms. Woodhouse said.

“This year’s race conditions will be dependent on the position and strength of a trough and low-pressure system, which is forecast to deepen and then move to the south-east over coming days.”

“Weather, wind and wave forecasts will depend on the location of this system.”

Ms Woodhouse said the Bureau will continue to narrow down the forecast scenarios and provide another in-depth briefing for crews ahead of the race start on Boxing Day in Sydney, while our meteorologists in Tasmania will deliver daily briefings for crews until the last yacht arrives in Hobart.

“On Tuesday and Wednesday, winds are expected to tend east-southeasterly and become fresh to strong over the Bass Strait. Strong wind warnings are possible during the race,” Ms Woodhouse said.

“Rain and thunderstorms are forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, mainly south of Eden. These can reduce visibility, produce lightning, erratic winds and possibly some hail.”

“Southwesterly winds are forecast to develop from later Wednesday or Thursday and will persist across Tasmania and Bass Strait until the weekend, when a ridge of high pressure develops.”

“Larger southwest swell and strong winds may affect parts of the Tasmanian coast at the end of the week.”

With a dynamic low-pressure system in the vicinity, there is a chance that weather, wind and wave conditions may become hazardous at times.

Navigators and crews will be kept across this information via regular updates, as well as information that is continuously updated on the Bureau’s online channels.

Beyond the completion of the race, returning crews bringing the yachts back up to Sydney also rely on our forecasts and marine weather warnings to get home safely.

Visit out Marine services for offshore yacht races .

Know your weather, know your risk. Stay up to date with the Bureau's forecasts and warnings via the Bureau's website, BOM Weather app or social media.

• Media Releases
• Social Media
• Media Contacts
• Attribution

• Latest News
• Indigenous affairs
• Political commentary
• The Growth Agenda
• Legal Affairs
• Margin Call
• Feeding the chooks
• Combat Sport
• Horse Racing
• Rugby Union
• The List 100 Arts & Culture
• Visual Arts
• Luxury & Lifestyle
• Food & Drink
• The List: VL50
• Halliday’s Top 100 wines
• Top 20 beers
• Top 15 spirits
• Flight Reviews
• Higher Education
• Today’s Paper
• Our journalists
• The Australian Wine
• Subscription Help

Hi there , welcome to your account and your subscriber benefits

• The Australian Plus benefits
• The Australian app
• Newsletters
• My comments
• Saved stories

Share this article

Sydney to hobart yacht race 2023: rolling updates, latest news, favourites, weather, drama, tracker.

By amanda lulham

• News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
• 3:03PM December 26, 2023

The 78th edition of the Sydney to Hobart shapes as one of its most memorable, with an ominous weather forecast set to wreak havoc on the 103-strong fleet.

The four supermaxis Andoo Comanche, the defending champion, Scallywag, LawConnect and Wild Thing 100 are the big contenders for the line win - but the overall corrected time victory is anyone’s guess.

Follow our live coverage of the race below.

2.30PM: SCALLYWAG CONFIRMS PENALTY

Skipper David Witt has confirmed he has done two 360 degree penalty turns to exonerate Scallywag from a potential issue at race end arising from close combat with arch rivals Andoo Comanche just after the start of the Sydney to Hobart.

“We just did circles,’’ Witt told The Daily Telegraph around 2.20pm.

Andoo Comanche sailing master Iain Murray indicated he was unhappy with an incident not long after the start where they and Scallywag came close after Scallywag tacked in front of them.

If Scallywag had not done her penalty turns and was found at race end to have infringed in the incident they could have been slugged with a time penalty or worse.

1.30PM: DRAMA AS YACHTS BEGIN CLEARING THE HEADS

Christian Beck’s LawConnect has claimed the honour of being the first yacht to Sydney Heads and out to sea after a thrilling start of the 78th race.

But the yacht then caused confusion when she did a 360 degree turn.

It was unclear at first if this was to sort an issue with the furler or for a penalty.

But soon after the yacht had more issues with their furler in a major early drama for the supermaxi.

Meanwhile Defending champion Andoo Comanche has claimed Scallywag has tacked too close to them in an hair-raising incident soon after the start which will require the later to do a penalty turn or potentially face a protest.

Comanche sailing master Iain Murray said the incident between the pair was a “classic port and starboard” with Scallywag tacking too close to Comanche.

It is unclear if Witt and his team on Scallywag agree or if they will do exonerating turns at a later date.

The drama happened in the opening 20 minutes of the 628nm race.

1.00PM: 78TH SYDNEY TO HOBART UNDERWAY

The 78th Sydney to Hobart has begun under ominous skies, in light winds and with a strange forecast hanging over the heads of the 103 starters who set sail at 1pm in a spectacular sight on Sydney Harbour

The fleet, slammed by a violent downpour before the start, set off in sunshine from four start lines with defending champion Andoo Comanche and her rivals for line honours - Scallywag, LawConnext and Wild Thing - all in pole position.

Spectator fleet numbers were down but anticipation high as the yachts jockeyed for the bets position at the start.

On the front line, that honour went to LawConnect on one end Scallywag on the other end of the line.

12.45PM: FREAK STORM HITS RACE START

A torrential downpour just before the start of the Sydney to Hobart was a preview of what is to come in the 78th race south.

As nervous crews prepared for the action-packed start they were hit by a violent rain cell which also packed some thunder and lightning.

More of the same is forecast for the first afternoon and night at sea.

Yachts left the dock early on Tuesday to check the conditions and do practice runs at the four start lines being used.

This year’s fleet boasts both the line honours and overall winners from a year ago in Andoo Comanche and Celestial.

11AM: SAILORS ‘NERVOUS’ AMID OMINOUS FORECAST

The fleet has started to leave the dock at the CYCA well in advance of the 1pm start with some nervous sailors aboard the 103 starters.

A forecast with everything and anything - including electrical storms, rain, erratic winds and a big bash - has sailors a little nervous and apprehensive.

“You’d think after so many races you wouldn’t be nervous but you are,’’ said Alive navigator Adrienne Cahalan, preparing for her 31st race south as the most capped woman in the race.

“This forecast is a tough one. It will be like a chess game.’’

Prior to the start sailors must parade by race officials to show they have their storm jibs, the smallest sails on a boat and bright orange - aboard.

And they may need them with wild winds forecast for most of the fleet in Bass Strait later in the race, along with 3m seas.

It’s plainer sailing for the line honours contenders who may sidestep almost all of the upwind on the menu for the majority.

The 2023 Sydney to Hobart fleet are on alert for things that go bump in the night and halt boats dead in their track in the light as they prepare for the start of the famous ocean race on Sydney Harbour at 1pm today.

Race management has warned sailors to watch out for sunfish and other obstacle in the water which have over the years included submerged containers, debris, sharks, whales and most commonly sunfish.

These speed bumps have ripped off keels, holed yachts and sheered rudder off, triggering major rescues at sea.

Just a year ago Huntress lost her rudder after hitting a sunfish. DRAMA AT SEA

Numerous line honours contenders, including yachts steered by Grant Wharington, aboard Wild Thing 100 in this race, have had their rudders, daggerboards or keels torn off, ending their races and victory dreams.

“Be conscious there are a lot of wildlife out there,’’ said had of the race committee,’’ Lee Goddard at the race briefing.

“There are large concentrations for this race.’’ RACE GUIDE

SYDNEY TO HOBART FAVOURITES

The two major awards are the line honour win and the overall corrected time victory.

The four supermaxis Andoo Comanche, the defending champion, Scallywag, LawConnect and Wild Thing 100 are the big contenders for the line win.

The overall is still very much in the air but the likes of URM and Monneypenny and an assortment of TP52s are considered movers and shakers in this race. There’s also some hope for the two-handed boats in this class.

The defending overall champion is Celestial owned by Sydney sailor Sam Haynes.

The weather forecast for the Sydney to Hobart is one of the most unusual in years.

Rather than being firmed up days in advance, it has kept sailors guessing right until the last minute - with potentially more changes ahead.

The good news is there isn't any indication of severe weather like the low which exploded over the fleet back in 1998 triggering mass search and rescue missions and claiming the lives of six men.

However the smaller boats in the fleet can still expect a torrid time at sea. WEATHER AND

INSIDE 1998 RACE

FAMILY TIES

There are numerous family connections in the 2023 race with one skipper sailing with his daughter for the first time and a sister joining her father and brother at sea.

Grand Wharington’s daughter Georgia is jumping aboard his 100-footer Wild Thing while Jamie Winning-Kermond is aboard for her first race south on Andoo Comanche.

Her brother John “Herman’’ Winning is the skipper an her father John Senior, or Woody as he is known in sailing circles, is back after racing the supermaxi to victory in 2022.

Amanda Lulham

More on this story

The Australian doesn't play nicely with your current browser.

Please take a moment to upgrade to the latest version.

Internet Explorer

v11 or later

Upgrade now

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Double trouble brewing as weather forecasts put Sydney to Hobart fleet on alert

• Navigators on edge as unpredictable weather systems hit east coast
• Big waves and high wind possible for annual 628-nautical mile race

The Sydney to Hobart fleet is in for a nervous week after the long-range weather forecast revealed uncertainty over race conditions.

Typically, the forecast a week from Boxing Day gives crews an indication of whether conditions on the 628-nautical mile race will suit their boat, and provides a chance to begin work on tactics. But NSW’s hot and humid weather, combined with the possibility of a low-pressure system forming this weekend, has made it difficult for the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to make conclusive predictions.

A low-pressure system forming over the Tasman Sea could set storms in motion from December 27, which would have significant impact on waves and wind direction. As of Monday morning, the BOM’s best guess was that the race will begin in southwesterly winds; but even that could change.

Navigator Adrienne Cahalan, sailing Alive in her 31st Sydney to Hobart race, said it was almost unheard of to have conditions so unclear a week out.

“If this low pressure (system) does develop, then it sort of throws everything out the window that we might’ve already had,” she told AAP. “While there’s always the potential for that to develop, it creates uncertainty in the forecast.

“The models at each run are changing from having a low on the NSW coast to maybe having a high-pressure (system). This great diversity from model runs is something that’s quite new.”

The uncertainty means navigators are working overtime, with more insight to be gleaned from weekend forecasts. But not all crews can wait that long to begin making tough calls.

“Some boats don’t have to make decisions a week out,” Cahalan said, outlining sail choice as just one crucial factor. “We do. That’s why this long-range forecast is really important for us.

“It just means it’s double the work, because you’ve got to be prepared for everything, whereas in the past you might’ve been able to dismiss a couple of scenarios that you know won’t happen.”

URM Group, one of Alive’s rivals for overall honours, is hoping to embrace the uncertainty. The 72-footer has enjoyed a dominant lead-in to the annual event, recording wins at the Bird Island, Sydney Gold Coast and Flinders Islet races.

after newsletter promotion

“I find it a little bit exciting when the forecast is this uncertain, because anything can happen,” URM navigator Alice Parker said. “There’ll be opportunities for little boats and opportunities for big boats.”

The variable forecast is perhaps even more alarming for the smallest boats in the two-hander division, which will require a handful of days to reach Hobart’s Constitution Dock.

“We don’t have one weather system to worry about, we probably have at least two to get through,” David Henry, skipper and owner of Philosopher, said. “We have double-trouble when it comes to predicting what the weather is going to be.

“The only thing that we definitely know is that we don’t know (what the conditions will be).”

• Sydney to Hobart yacht race
• Australia sport

Most viewed

LawConnect steals all-time Syd-Hob victory in nailbiting finish after near miss — LIVE

LawConnect has claimed line honours in the 78th Sydney to Hobart with a stunning comeback, hunting down Andoo Comanche on the River Derwent to steal victory in one of the closest-ever finishes.

LawConnect – the perennial bridesmaid in recent editions – sealed a maiden victory for skipper Christian Beck by just 51 seconds, coming home in 1 day, 19 hours, 3 minutes and 58 seconds.

“I can’t believe that result. Honestly, it’s a dream come true,” skipper Christian Beck said.

“I never thought it was possible, actually.”

‘Honestly a s***box’: Skipper’s epic reaction to Sydney-Hobart win he ‘never thought possible’

11 yachts have retired so far in a thrilling edition of the great race, including one of the favourites in SHK Scallywag with a broken bow sprit on the first day.

The two super maxis had traded the lead in a back-and-forth battle throughout the trip down to Tasmania.

But it was Andoo Comanche who led from around midday Wednesday all the way around the Tasman Peninsula – only for the reigning champions’ lead to evaporate amid the notorious light winds on the home stretch up the River Derwent.

LawConnect stalked down the leaders and took the lead at around 7.55am before briefly losing it again minutes later, with the two yachts separated by just metres as they desperately sought out any pocket of wind in the crawl to the finish line.

“The lead changed several times, they took the lead pretty close to the line. We thought there’s no way we could get it back. The wind gust came around... it was a complete surprise to be honest.”

“There was guys that couldn’t watch it, it was really nerve-wracking.”

“We thought we’d definitely lost it 15 minutes before, they were three miles ahead of us.”

In the end, LawConnect clinched victory by 51 seconds – the second-closest finish in race history behind 1982, when Condor of Bermuda beat Apollo by a mere seven seconds.

LawConnect’s owner Christian Beck had finished as runner-up for the past three years, but brilliantly navigated the final stage of the 628 nautical mile race to pip reigning champion and favourite Andoo Comanche.

“We should have been miles ahead of them with our boat,” Andoo Comanche skipper John Winning Jr said.

“The conditions suited us, I think they just outsailed us.”

Watch SailGP FREE & LIVE on Kayo Freebies. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

Andoo Comanche had also won in 2019 (as Comanche), 2017 (as LDV Comanche) and 2015 (as Comanche).

But this was a first-ever win for LawConnect under skipper Beck, and came against the odds after a main sail was destroyed on the first night of the race.

The same boat had won as Perpetual Loyal under skipper Anthony Bell in 2016, the year before Beck took over.

Beck had told Channel 7 an hour before the finish that they were confident of overturning the big deficit entering the Derwent River, saying: “The Derwent is notorious for having these dead spots you get stuck in.”

He added: “You can watch where they go, and if they go slow, we go somewhere else.”

But there was late drama when a spectator craft came close to Andoo Comanche in the final seconds of the race.

The catamaran moved narrowly past the front of Andoo Comanche as it prepared for its final jibe, with Andoo Comanche sailors heard yelling and gesturing at the catamaran to get out of the way.

No protest has been lodged, and vision appears to show Andoo Comanche was marginally behind her rival at the time.

LawConnect’s sailing master Tony Mutter said: “It’s pretty fair that everyone had troubles with the spectator boats. That’s part of it when it’s so busy.”

Meanwhile, URM Group, Alive, and Moneypenny are battling for third place.

Many of the smaller boats are not likely to finish for another day or two, though conditions on the Bass Strait have calmed down.

Follow live updates below and check out the live tracker here .

6AM THURSDAY — OVERNIGHT UPDATE

There haven’t been any reports of more retirements from the second night of the race with a thrilling finish still looming between Andoo Comanche and LawConnect.

The number of retirements from this year’s race sits at 11 following carnage across the first day-and-a-half.

Andoo Comanche narrowly led over LawConnect as the two yachts went past Port Arthur.

Meanwhile, LawConnect’s Tony Mutter described the drama on the first night when his yacht lost a main sail in the wild weather.

“The first day went okay through the daylight hours, and when night-time came all hell broke loose because there was plenty on,” he said.

10:20PM WEDNESDAY – BIG FINISH LOOMS … AND CHAOS BEHIND

Either Andoo Comanche or LawConnect will claim line honours in the Sydney to Hobart on Thursday morning, and they’ve avoided the worst of the weather which is about to hit the rest of the race.

As of 10:20pm AEDT on Wednesday night Andoo Comanche was 108.7 nautical miles from glory, holding a steady lead of 6-7nm to LawConnect, with URM Group third but a whopping 91.4nm from the leader.

The problems are with the rest of the fleet, with only a handful of boats having actually cleared Bass Strait so far.

“There could easily be 30 retirements by tomorrow night,’’ meteorologist Roger Badham told News Corp late on Wednesday .

“There’s far worse to come for them. It’s not a nice place to be, Bass Strait tomorrow (Thursday). It just gets increasingly bad all day.’’

4PM WEDNESDAY – MORE CASUALTIES AND A TIGHT RACE AT THE FRONT

It’s a race in two with Andoo Comanche 195.1 nautical miles from the finish line, just 7.1nm ahead of LawConnect, as the race ticks over 27 hours.

The pair are nowhere near the race record and the winner is likely to reach Hobart on Thursday morning at this rate but it’s anyone’s guess who will be there first.

Wild weather continues to cause havoc with Tumbleweed (sickness and fatigue), Millennium Falcon (sickness) and Luna Blue (damaged equipment) joining the list of casualties.

12PM WEDNESDAY – MAN OVERBOARD AS RETIREMENTS MOUNT

Currawong has been forced to retire from the race — becoming its sixth casualty — while one of the retirees has opened up about a scary ‘man overboard’ incident.

The Daily Telegraph reports that it’s still unknown why Currawong, the smallest yacht in the fleet, was on the way back to Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Shane Connelly from Rum Rebellion, which was one of the first retirements, spoke about the “burst of wind” that ruined their race on Boxing Day.

Connelly was briefly unclipped and was thrown from the boat, which was knocked on its side by the burst.

He was reportedly sent about two metres from the boat but was able to swim back before retiring.

“We are both well and the main thing is our systems and drills all worked well,’’ he said.

6.15AM WEDNESDAY – OVERNIGHT RETIREMENTS

Two yachts retired on the first night of the Sydney to Hobart with Sticky and Maritimo 52 pulling out.

It was a night led by Andoo Comanche and LawConnect with the frontrunners making it through fast overnight conditions unscathed.

Andoo Comanche was slightly ahead of LawConnect as they approached the Bass Strait.

Meanwhile, Sticky was forced to pull out with electrical damage, while Maritimo 52 had damage to rigging.

They join Scallywag, Rum Rebellion and Arcadia as the race’s retirements.

8:30PM TUESDAY – EARLY LEADER OUT IN DISASTER

Scallywag is out of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race after the bow sprit broke while the early leader was in a three-way fight for glory with Andoo Comanche and LawConnect.

News Corp reported skipper David Witt had declared their race over in what was to be their final chance at line honours.

The yacht was involved in the early drama when it performed two 360 penalty turns after an altercation with Andoo Comanche.

Arcadia (torn mainsail) and Rum Rebellion are also out of the race.

At the time of the incident Scallywag was within a couple of nautical miles of the leaders.

At 8:30pm AEDT it was Andoo Comanche travelling at 27.3 knots sitting 498.7nm away from the finish, seven nautical miles ahead of LawConnect – and just five behind LDV Comanche’s 2017 race record.

5:30PM TUESDAY – WEATHER FEARS AS LEADERS PULL AWAY

There are hopes intense weather will be avoided as leader Andoo Comanche, LawConnect and Scallywag made it a race in three at the front.

With the top boats hitting over 25 knots winds have clearly picked up.

The Bureau of Meteorology, whose representatives briefed the competitors ahead of the race, said there was a high degree of uncertainty for the forecasts over coming days.

“A trough and low pressure system over eastern Australia is slowly moving to the southeast and will reach the Tasman Sea later today or tomorrow,” a bureau spokesperson said.

“Uncertainty remains about its exact placement. Weather, wind and wave forecasts will depend on the location of this system.”

At the start of the race, competitors were set for light easterly winds, the bureau said, with the chance of a shower or thunderstorm.

“Thunderstorm potential increases during the afternoon along the NSW coast and over Sydney – with very erratic winds, hail, lightning and heavy rain reducing visibility possible,” the bureau said.

“Strong wind warnings are likely during the race, and there is a slight risk of local gale-force winds over the Bass Strait on Tuesday night.”

2PM TUESDAY – DRAMATIC START INCLUDING PROTEST

LawConnect, the Big Boat Challenge winners, took the early honours to lead early from Teasing Machine, Andoo Comanche and Wild Thing after a heavy downpour in Sydney Harbour cleared for the 1pm starter’s cannon.

LawConnect then had trouble putting up its big sail forcing it to jibe away from the lead handing the ascendancy to Andoo Comanche, who is defending line honours.

The lead swapped again shortly after but not before an explosive moment between Scallywag and Andoo Comanche.

Dramatic vision showed the two boats coming within a few feet of each other with the latter claiming their rival tacked too late, prompting Andoo Comanche to throw a protest flag.

ABC reported ‘colourful language’ was exchanged between the two boats.

Andoo Comanche Sailing Master Iain Murray was not impressed with the incident when asked about it on Seven’s coverage.

“It’s a classic port-and-starboard (incident). That’s too close (from Scallywag),” he said.

“You can’t do that with 100-footers. We’ll see.”

The controversy allowed Scallywag to sail clear into first place and be first out of the Heads, ahead of Andoo Comanche in second and LawConnect in third.

Earlier the Bureau of Meteorology predicted that potentially dangerous weather could mar this year’s Sydney to Hobart race, which gets underway on Boxing Day.

Rain, strong winds, low visibility and even hail is expected to hit parts of the course, including the Bass Strait crossing, due to a rain-bearing low pressure system impacting the southeast.

Competitors have been advised to prepare for changing conditions throughout the event, with plenty of upwind sailing and winds coming from different directions.

The fleet left the dock at the CYCA well ahead of the 1pm race start with sailors nervous for what lay ahead.

“You’d think after so many races you wouldn’t be nervous but you are,’’ Alive navigator Adrienne Cahalan said.,

“This forecast is a tough one. It will be like a chess game.’’

During Sunday’s briefing, a race official warned participants that they “strongly recommended to take your sea sick tablets in your grab bag’’.

HK Scallywag skipper David Witt declared: “Pack another set of thermal gear. It’ll be cold.”

The 78th edition of the 1163km race, one of Australia’s most famous sporting events, began the day with a fleet of 103.

The course record was set by LDV Comanche in 2017, completing the race in 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds. Last year’s winners Comanche, who is tipped as one of the favourite this year’s race finished in one day, 11 hours, 56 minutes and 48 seconds, the second-fastest time for any Sydney to Hobart victors.

Australians can watch the race on 7mate with coverage starting at 12.30pm AEDT, while ABC TV is providing in-race news footage.

WHEN DOES IT START?

At 1pm AEDT on Boxing Day (December 26). 12pm in Brisbane, 12:30pm in Adelaide, 11:30am in Darwin and 10am in Perth.

Previous winners

2022 Andoo Comanche (NSW)

2021 Black Jack (Monaco)

2019 Comanche (NSW)

2018 Wild Oats (NSW)

2017 LDV Comanche (NSW)

2016 Perpetual LOYAL (NSW)

2015 Comanche (NSW)

2014 Wild Oats XI (NSW)

2013 Wild Oats XI (NSW)

2012 Wild Oats XI (NSW)

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

Long range forecast tips for tactical contest in Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

• 20 Dec, 2021 01:45:00 PM

A battle of wits and minds is expected in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, based on the long range weather forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology released today.

The forecast of southerlies and possible thunderstorms early after the Boxing Day start, and a series of transitions afterwards, have all but erased expectation of a record-breaking race.

According to Gabrielle Woodhouse, forecaster from the NSW Bureau of Meteorology, a trough is expected on Christmas Day, or later on Boxing Day, when the 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart starts at 1pm.

"For the race start, it seems most likely we will see a southerly, but depending on the timing of that trough, we could end up seeing nor’ easterly winds turn southerly early," said Woodhouse, adding that some showers and storm activity could follow.

Woodhouse said the race could meet a ridge of high pressure on Boxing Day, or on 27 and 28 December, that could see winds turn easterly.

She was speaking at the long range weather forecast press conference at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutters Bay in Sydney this morning.

Listening eagerly were four navigators in this year’s 76th edition of the race.

They were Chris Wild from Seng Huang Lee’s 100-foot maxi SHK Scallywag 100 ; Michael Bellingham from David Griffith’s JV62 Whisper , and Wendy Tuck and Michael Bell from the respective Two-Handed Division entries, Speedwell and Kayimai .

Wild said the forecast makes for a challenging race where the 100-footers will find it hard to jump to a huge lead over the fleet early in the race.

"It’s an interesting forecast, lots of uncertainty," he said.  

"In terms of getting distance on other boats, if it’s upwind, that allows us to start to stretch out. That will allow us to put a bit of a gap on some of the smaller maxis, but I imagine it will be quite tight up front. There is uncertainty.

"There’s going to be lots of transitions that make opportunities for the other boats to come to us."

"It doesn’t look like record breaking conditions, particularly when you have those transitions," Bellingham concurred with Wild.

Whisper’s navigator added that the forecast could see many entries sail to their handicap.

"That means coming into those transitions is about how you position yourself and see if you can get some leverage on your competitor."

Tuck was equally at odds as to whether the forecast was favourable or not for her and the rest of the two-handed entries in the fleet, who are racing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart for the first time in that configuration.

"At the moment it is, but it is not [favourable]," she said. "The forecast on the second day is all over the shop."

Tuck welcomed the day one forecast, saying: "It will definitely play out for us, especially being on a small boat. We will be able to sail to our handicap."

However, day two is a concern for her, especially if the winds turn easterly.

"We don’t have sails for easterly winds," Tuck said. "We want it hard on the nose or hard behind us. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that it does play out for us."

Bell, who has been taking a master class in navigation from yachting legend, Adrienne Cahalan, is bracing himself for easterlies.

"My belief is we are going to see more easterly in this race than perhaps what people are telling us now," Bell said.

"I think we are going to do a rhumbline course and stay slightly to the west of it and also sail to the current. It’s going to be a mish-mash."

Rupert Guinness/RSHYR

Congratulations to all the divisional winners of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023

PHOTOS | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Official Prizegiving

PHOTOS | Day 5 Morning - Tasman Island and Storm Bay

PHOTOS | Day 5 and Day 6 finishers

PHOTOS | Official Presentation of Tattersall Cup and Rolex Timepiece to the Overall Winner

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - A Race for the Ages

VIDEO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Rolex Daily Video Summary

VIDEO | Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023

VIDEO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Official Prizegiving

VIDEO | Race Update - 31 December Morning

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 10

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 9

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 8

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 7

AUDIO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Sked 6

Official rolex sydney hobart merchandise.

Shop the official clothing range of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.  

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited!