With only 99 days remaining until the start of the 79th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, this year’s field of competitors is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
A total of 75 yachts have already registered, ranging from seasoned campaigners to first-time entrants - all gearing up for the 628 nautical-mile challenge.
Yachts from all states will descend on Sydney Harbour. At this stage:
- 40 are from New South Wales
- 11 from Victoria
- 8 from Tasmania
- 7 from Queensland
- 3 from South Australia, and
- 2 from Western Australia
As the countdown continues and entries remain open until Friday, 25 October, more competitors are expected to join, eager to test themselves against the elements in one of the world’s most prestigious ocean races.
Christian Beck after winning Line Honours in the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Photo: Salty Dingo
Maxis and Mini-Maxis
The race will once again see the fierce rivalry between some of the largest and fastest yachts in the world, with a strong fleet of Maxis and Mini-Maxis already confirmed. Among the headline entries are several 100-foot giants, each with their sights set on the coveted Line Honours title. These ocean racing powerhouses will be racing not just against the weather, but also against each other, as they push their boats to the limit in pursuit of the fastest time to Hobart.
Last year’s Line Honours winner, LawConnect, is once again firmly focused on defending its title, while Comanche aims to reaffirm its dominance in the offshore fleet. Joining the biggest of the fleet is the luxury cruiser Maritimo 100, the recently-arrived Oyster 100 owned by Billy Barry-Cotter, which will be making its debut in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
Alongside these giants are URM Group, Moneypenny, No Limit, Whisper, and Willow, forming a highly competitive lineup among the largest boats in this year's race. With such a formidable field, the stage is set for an intense battle as each team vies for victory.
Last year’s overall winner, Alive, is yet to officially enter but is eagerly anticipating defending its overall title.
International Entrants
The global appeal of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race remains strong, with many international entrants finding their way to Sydney ahead of Boxing Day. Yachts from countries including the USA, New Zealand, France and Hong Kong have already registered, adding to the event’s reputation as one of the premier ocean races on the international calendar. These crews, many of whom have extensive offshore racing experience, are preparing to take on the unique challenges of Australia’s east coast and the treacherous conditions of the Bass Strait.
Among the five international entrants is Caro, returning for its third journey south. A new contender on the scene is Bacchanal, a new, locally-built JPK 11.80 to be based in the United States, making its Rolex Sydney Hobart debut. Another JPK 11.80, Cocody from France, is currently sailing towards Sydney in preparation for the race. Owner Richard Fromentin, buoyed by Cocody’s success in the RORC Transatlantic Race—where it finished first in IRC One and second under IRC Overall—has decided it's time to take on the challenge of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
Caro powering through the waves 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (with Dublin Bay's Cian Guilfoyle onboard) Photo: Kurt Arrigo
Double Handed Entrants
The growing popularity of Double Handed sailing is again reflected in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet, with a strong contingent taking on the race with only two crew members. Double Handed entrants are set to compete not only for the Overall race prize but also to demonstrate their endurance and sailing skills in this increasingly competitive and exciting division.
Currently, there are 16 Double Handed entrants, just two fewer than in the 2023 race. Among this year’s entrants is Fika, co-skippered by the mother-daughter team, Sophie and Annette Hesselmans. For this duo, their offshore journey does not stop in Hobart as this race doubles as a qualifier for the upcoming Melbourne Osaka Cup.
The Oldest of the Fleet
The oldest competing yacht in the fleet is Katwinchar, the double-handed entrant Skippered by Michael Spies. Built in 1904 by the Watney Brewery in England, Katwinchar was designed for the now-defunct Rater Rule and enjoyed considerable success sailing around England.
The restored Katwinchar made a notable appearance in the 75th Rolex Sydney Hobart race in 2019, where it won its division and led the race overall for a time. With its recent transition to Double Handed racing, the boat has been adapted to a more streamlined setup, including the removal of the mizzenmast and a switch to tiller steering. While the expectations are set high, they are focused on maximizing the boat’s performance and enjoying the challenge ahead.
With 99 days to go, anticipation is steadily building for the 79th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. From the powerful maxis to the intrepid double-handed entrants, and with strong inter-state and international representation, this year’s fleet is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history.
