An impressive fleet of more than 100 boats will begin the 79th edition of the 79th edition of the Sydney Harbor on December 26. Rolex Sydney Hobart. Last international sporting event of the year since its first edition in 1945, it takes place throughout 628 nautical miles (1,163 kilometers) to the port of Hobart, in Tasmania, one of the most legendary and unpredictable routes in the world.
Since its first edition almost 80 years ago, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has built a global reputation and has become one of the most famous events on the international sporting calendar. The 2024 will be the 79th edition of this regatta organized by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia with the sponsorship of Rolex since 2002. The start, as always, will take place on December 26, in the middle of the southern summer, surrounded by a festive atmosphere and watched live by a large crowd that traditionally gathers along the Sydney coast to enjoy the spectacle.
Once through the legendary Sydney Heads at the mouth of the bay, the fleet embarks on the long leg south, down the New South Wales coast and across the infamous eastern edge of the exposed Bass Strait. Although the competitors are often lost sight of, the public’s interest is maintained until the end. The reception in Hobart, where the CYCA is supported by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT), is often as exciting as the departure and even more emotional.
Held annually since its inception in 1945, the event has built a reputation for itself thanks to the stories of the nearly 60,000 competitors and 7,500 sailboats that have accepted the challenge. Many of the best sailors of their generations have been captivated by its appeal, as have the most notable boats of their respective eras.
Despite the presence of professional crews and some of the most cutting-edge racing boats in the world, the Rolex Sydney Hobart, like other oceangoing classics such as the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race, is steeped in traditional candle spirit. The majority of the fleet, coming from all corners of Australia and the rest of the world, is made up of expert amateur sailors. In addition to the excitement of completing such an iconic regatta, everyone competes for one of the most emblematic prizes in sport, the Tattersall Cupwhich is awarded to the overall winner in compensated time.
Diversity of winners
The 2024 edition will have 108 boats on the starting line. At the top end, the list of the always attractive candidates for victory in real time will have four 100 foot long boats (30.48 meters): ‘Comanche’ (four-time winner in real time and holder of the current record of the test, now created by Matt Allen, absolute winner with his saga ‘Ichi Ban’ in 2017, 2019 and 2021), ‘ Law Connect’ (winner in 2023), ‘Wild Thing 100’ and ‘Maritimo 100’ (a supermaxi that debuts in this edition).
Among the countless stories within the fleet, the Reichel Pugh 66 ‘Alive’ of Tasmanian Philip Turner returns to try to defend its absolute title in 2023 and the Botin 52 ‘Caro’ of Max Klink, winner of the Rolex Fastnet, returns to try to make history Race of 2023. The historical prominence will be taken by the wooden S&S 47 ‘Love & War’, overall winner in 1974, 1978 and 2006. The presence of more than 20 boats with two crew.
Throughout Rolex’s two decades of involvement, the regatta has been hotly contested. There have been dramatic endings for victory in real time, like last year, when only 51 seconds separated the first two boats to cross the finish line. In terms of overall victory, the democratic nature of ocean racing has been demonstrated by the diversity of the winners, from powerful 30.5 meter long maxis to smaller boats between 12 and 18 metres.
The starting signal for the 79 Rolex Sydney Hobart will sound at 1:00 p.m. (local time, 3:00 a.m. in mainland Spain) on December 26.
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