weather for sydney to hobart yacht race 2023

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Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Ultimate Guide: Why pensioners Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham are aiming to go one better this year

In last year's Sydney to Hobart , Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham lit up Constitution Dock right on the brink of the New Year.

Onboard their Yacht 'Currawong', the two sailed over the finish line 18 minutes before the clock ticked over 2023.

While they may have finished 83rd, they were winners in the eyes of everyone watching on, having become the first-ever two-handed female crew to conquer Australia's greatest sailing event.

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Now they're back, ready to compete again on Boxing Day.

And while they're used to bunking in close quarters, 71-year-old Veel and 63-year-old Canham haven't always been overly familiar with each other.

Two handed crew Kathy Veel, 70 Owner/co-skipper, and Bridget Canham, 62 on their 50 year old boat Currawong before the Sydney to Hobart in 2022.  Sydney Morning Herald/Louise Kennerley

"We are (close) now. We weren't close friends particularly when we started this but now we've spent so much time together ... we pretty much know what each other is going to say next," Veel told 9News Sydney.

For both women, while there is a definite love of sailing, another motivator for competing in the prestigious race is overcoming a stigma around their age.

"Just because you get to a certain age, it doesn't mean your future is in the bridge club or the bowls club," Veel said.

"You can inspire people to reach their own goals, they don't have to do a Sydney to Hobart, their own goal might be to own their own boat or learn how to sail," Canham added.

Last year, the satisfaction for both women came from crossing the finish line at Constitution Dock last year.

No doubt, there was pandemonium with the sound of cheers from spectators, coupled by the sight of fireworks only minutes after finishing.

But the two sailors aren't satisfied with just completing the race this year.

"I want to be there to welcome the last boat in," Veel said.

Ahead of the 2023 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, here is everything you need to know.

What time does the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race start?

The famed bluewater yacht race kicks off on Sydney Harbour at 1pm AEDT on Tuesday, December 26.

Who has entered into the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race?

113 boats have entered for the 78th running of the event including four 100-foot maxis and several past winners.

There are 10 international entrants including three from New Zealand, two from Hong Kong, and competitors from New Caledonia, USA, France, Germany and Ireland.

Australia is represented across all six states with New South Wales boasting 60 entries while Queensland fields 18, Victoria 15, Tasmania seven, Western Australia two, and South Australia one.

How long is the race?

The race is 628 nautical miles long and takes an the winner around 48 hours or just under to complete.

How can you watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race?

You can watch the race via the 7 Network, with live coverage beginning on 7Mate from 12.30pm (AEDT) on Boxing Day.

Where is the best place to see the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race?

Accor Sydney recommends watching from the northern shore of Sydney, or even from around the Harbour Bridge. You'll likely be able to see the yachts pass you by at Cremorne Point, Bradley's Head and Clifton Gardens.

As for Hobart, finding a spot at Battery Point, where the races finishes, is your best bet.

Who is the favourite to win the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race?

There are a few favourites for the 2023 race.

TAB has Andoo Comanche at $1.50, followed by Law Connect at $3.60 and SHK Scallywag at $8.00.

What is the prize for winning the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race?

The winners will take home the Tattersall Cup. It was first presented in 1946 by the Executors of the Estate of the late George Adams, who was the founder of Tattersall Lotteries in Hobart.

Who are the previous winners of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

2000: SAP Ausmaid

2001: Bumblebee 5

2002: Quest

2003: First National

2005: Wild Oats XI

2006: Love & War

2007: Rosebud

2008: Quest

2009: Two True

2010: Secret Men's Business 3.5

2012: Wild Oats XI

2013: Victoire

2014: Wild Rose

2015: Balance

2016: Giacomo

2017: Ichi Ban

2018: Alive

2019: Ichi Ban

2020: Not conducted

2021: Ichi Ban

2022: Celestial

What is the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race record?

The race record of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds was set by LDV Comanche for Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant in 2017.

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

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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.

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Sydney-Hobart yacht race kicks off despite weather forecast of thunderstorm, heavy rain, and strong winds in New South Wales

The highly anticipated Sydney-Hobart yacht race has officially commenced on Tuesday afternoon despite grim weather forecasts predicting severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and damaging winds.

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race is officially underway despite weather forecasts showing dangerous thunderstorms and damaging winds across parts of New South Wales.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart 2023 race kicked off from the Sydney Harbour at 1pm on Boxing Day amidst a bout of stormy conditions. 

Andoo Comanche, LawConnect, Wild Thing 100 and SHK Scallywag were just some of the key players readying their sails as they prepared to set off towards Hobart.

SHK Scallywag initially took the lead after the ceremonial cannon was fired, marking the start of the highly anticipated yacht race.

The race begins as forecasts say weather conditions could make the journey difficult for the boats as they sail for Tasmania.

Ahead of the iconic Sydney-Hobart race, the Bureau of Meteorology warned a low pressure system in the area could result in "hazardous" weather, wind and wave conditions.

"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," BOM senior meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said in a statement on Saturday.

"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 added winds are expected to be strong over the Bass Strait on Tuesday and Wednesday, with wind warnings being issued for the race.

"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," she 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."

On Tuesday afternoon, BOM said storm warnings remained current in Sydney, the Central Coast, Hunter and Mid North Coast.

Storm warnings still current in #Sydney #CentralCoast #Hunter and #MidNorthCoast . A large and dangerous cell is heading towards the #NorthernBeaches and #CentralCoast . GIANT HAIL (>5cm) possible. Latest warning https://t.co/YirEXV8NvB and https://t.co/tYiUXby2yr pic.twitter.com/Y819Ta68Ne — Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 26, 2023

"A large and dangerous cell is heading towards the #NorthernBeaches and #CentralCoast," BOM said on X. 

"GIANT HAIL (>5cm) possible."

Thunderstorm warnings were also forecast for Gosford/Wyong and Hawkesbury areas, with BOM predicting "very dangerous" thunderstorms would likely produce large hailstones, destructive winds and heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding. 

Parts of the Sunshine State, New South Wales and Victoria are expected to experience storms and strong winds on Tuesday as a low pressure system heads toward the east coast.

"Heavy rainfall, more intense with thunderstorms, is forecast with a low pressure system expected to move through southern NSW from Monday afternoon," BOM said.

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BOM Senior Forecaster Gabrielle Woodhouse addresses the fleet | © ROLEX Andrea Francolini

David Witt speaks at the Line Honour Contenders Conference | © ROLEX Andrea Francolini

Tony Mutter of LawConnect and John Winning Jr of Andoo Comanche at the Line Honour Contenders Conference | © ROLEX Andrea Francolini

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Final Weather Briefing and Line Honour Contenders

David Witt warns crews to brace for a wet and cold ride in Rolex Sydney Hobart

With the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race start tomorrow, uncertainty remains for crews over the expected conditions – except that a long, wet and cold journey is in store. The NSW Bureau of Meteorology [BOM] updated forecast on Sunday predicted variable winds, waves and weather conditions, with rain, thunderstorms and low visibility likely. The BOM update was presented at a compulsory race briefing for all crews at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, organisers of the 628 nautical mile event. As David Witt, skipper of the Hong Kong maxi,  SHK Scallywag  said of the forecast, especially after passing Eden: “Take another set of thermals. It will be cold.” Gabrielle Woodhouse, the BOM’s senior meteorologist, said conditions for the 1pm race start on Tuesday should be sunny with winds likely to be east to south-easterly at a light 5 knots. Later in the afternoon, the wind could turn to the north-east, increasing to 15 knots, with the featured sunshine of race start in Sydney Harbour possibly giving way to thunderstorms. However, as the race heads south to and beyond Eden, winds could be east to south-east at 15-25 knots with waves increasing from 1.5 metres to 2 to 3 metres. From there the fleet can expect to hit a trough and low pressure system. This will make for a tactically challenging race as boats follow either the current, or head out east for the wind.

So believes Witt, whose  SHK Scallywag  is one of four maxis in the 628 nautical mile race and a favourite for Line Honours with  Andoo Comanche ,  LawConnect  and  Wild Thing 100 . “I think it’ll probably be decided when someone might fall off the perch in the first three or four hours. That could be a big decision early,” said Witt. “We’re just pretty happy that we got one Juan Vila with us [one of the navigators]. The best in the world doesn’t come cheap, but we’ve invested in the right areas with this forecast.” John Winning Jr, skipper of the defending Line Honours champion,  Andoo Comanche , agreed the race is poised to become a battle of the brains trusts. Winning has nothing but praise for his navigator, Justin Shaffer’s ability. “I’ve said in previous years that I think Justin is the most underrated navigator on the planet,” he said. “For us, it’s around trusting each person’s role on the boat, and we back our boat in any conditions to win the race. “Obviously we’d like the conditions to get us get there as fast as possible, because as a skiff sailor, I don’t want to spend too much time at sea. “Even if we’re out there for 48-plus hours, we think our boat is fast in all conditions.”

Tony Mutter, Sailing Master on Christian Beck’s  LawConnect  was reticent to come to any conclusion about the forecast.   “It’s way too early because the biggest problem I have with the low is that it still hasn’t really formed properly,” he said.   Mutter said he was presently looking at two options. Either to go “down the current or whether we go east to try and sail around the outside and into the pressure.”   Asked his opinion, Carl Crafoord, from Grant Wharington’s new  Wild Thing 100,  is leaning towards the option of heading offshore.   “Getting offshore away from the coast, and when possible thunderstorms, will be the answer,” he said.

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 .

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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.”

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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)

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

The 78th Sydney to Hobart is under way, but not before the 103-strong fleet was hammered by a violent storm. However, after some early drama yachts are now clearing the heads. Follow live inside.

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.

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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!