sydney hobart yacht race field

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race | CREDIT: ROLEX | Kurt Arrigo

Christian Beck after winning Line Honours in the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race | CREDIT: CYCA | Salty Dingo

Caro powering through the waves 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race | CREDIT: ROLEX | Kurt Arrigo

Sydney Hobart – Under 100 Days to Race Day

With now 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 will descend on Sydney Harbour from all states. 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.

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.

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 of 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. 

THE ENTRANTS

Facebook: @RolexSydneyHobart Instagram: @officialrolexsydneyhobart

• The 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart starts in Sydney Harbour at 1300 hours AEDT on Thursday 26 December
• This is the 79th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart. The inaugural race was conducted in 1945 and has run every year since, apart from 2020, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• The race is 628 nautical miles
• Entries close Friday 25 October 2024

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‘Challenge, mateship’: Inside Australia’s iconic Sydney Hobart race – and what keeps sailors coming back

Australia’s iconic Boxing-day ocean race, THE ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART , is almost 80 years old. Stewart Hawkins talks to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s CEO about how she runs the event and one of Australia’s most accomplished sailors about his passion for the sport and what keeps him coming back to compete in the “Great Race”.  

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia CEO Justine Kirkjian has a succinct opinion on why the Sydney Hobart is yachting’s pinnacle: “It just [represents] the Australian way.”

“It’s all about challenge, mateship and camaraderie.”

This year’s event will be the 78th time the sometimes brutal, always demanding ocean race has been contested. Crews from Australia are expected to make up 110 of the 120-strong field with international entries including boats from NZ, Hong Kong, France, Germany and the US.

The diverse field for the 628 nautical mile race will see small, 30-foot two-handed boats sailing alongside four 100-foot maxis: Wild Thing 100, SHK Scallywag, Law Connect and Andoo Comanche. 

Kirkjian has spent her life on the water, and if anyone can talk about the passion that sailing can evoke, it’s her. It started at age five when her brother’s junior sailing crew member didn’t turn up one day, and she was “subbed in”.

“I was a strong swimmer, so there was no problem,” she deadpans.

“When I came in [from the race], I said to my mom that was tops (and as you did in the eighties, guess), and that was it for me. I had the bug. So yeah, I just love it. I think it’s just like… freedom.”

That passion saw her join Yachting NSW back in the ’90s as she was finishing university, then the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and then she spent the better part of 23 years at the CYCA, first as Sailing Manager and then as CEO from 2020. According to Kirkjian, one of the (many) joys of her job now is the atmosphere on race day in Sydney.

“If you could bottle the feeling people have when they’re here on Boxing Day, you would make a fortune,” she says. 

For those taking part, the experience can be extraordinary. It’s extraordinary enough that many keep coming back to do it again and again – despite the hardship. And that hardship is real. Frighteningly so. It is, by all accounts, one of the toughest races in the world. As Olympic gold medallist and three-time Rolex World Sailor of the Year winner Tom Slingsby puts it: “It’s not the longest [race], but Bass Strait is notorious for huge waves, for a lot of wind and big southerly buster fronts. And the currents there are tricky – a real battle of attrition.” 

In Kirkjian’s opinion, the event is a “bucket-list ocean race”, which many in the sailing community aspire to do at least once in their lives. But once you’ve done it once, it can be hard to stay away. 

“A lot of the times you get bitten, so you do one, and you think you’ll just do one, but then… We have one man this year who’s doing his 50th consecutive race,” she says. “Other people have told me it’s a bit like childbirth that you forget how bad it was afterwards, and you come back,” she smiles. 

THE PRO  

Slingsby is another repeat race competitor. On top of his Olympic gold medal, he has won nine world championships and the America’s Cup. But he says until he’d completed a run to Hobart, his peers in Australia didn’t consider him a “real” sailor. 

His sailing baptism was different to Kirkjian’s but had the same result. “I remember at five years old, out the front of our house, [my dad] put me in a friend’s boat and pushed me off by myself, and I was screaming and crying and saying, ‘Let me back in. I want to get off.’ Each time I went past the jetty, I had a few less tears, and by the end, I was smiling and carrying on. From then on, I loved sailing,” he says. 

However, he admitted that he’d never really been that into ocean racing – until he got bitten. “I set off down the Olympic path and then the America’s Cup campaigns. But whenever I returned to Australia, everyone would say, ‘Oh, so you’re a professional sailor. How many Sydney to Hobarts have you done? Or how many have you won?’ They didn’t care about the Olympic gold medal, the America’s Cup, or any of that. They thought I was a fake if I said that I hadn’t done a Sydney to Hobart.” 

He says he completed his first Sydney Hobart in 2013 and was “hooked” after that. He returned each year until, in 2016, he was on the boat that broke the race record and won – Perpetual Loyal, skippered by Anthony Bell. And even that wasn’t enough, so he did a few more. 

Slingsby’s career is looking pretty solid right now. He’s recently been made a Rolex brand ambassador, is dominating SailGP and is currently living in Barcelona and expecting the birth of his first child. The downside is that he’s going to miss this year’s Sydney Hobart. 

“I will do another Sydney to Hobart [though],” he says with absolute conviction. “You can’t come back to Australia and live in Sydney as a sailor, a professional sailor, and hang around on Boxing Day and put your feet up. All your mates will con you into it. In the sailing circles, we call it the Great Race.” 

THE LOGISTICS  

So. How do you actually put on “The Great Race”? At the end of the day, the CYCA is a yachting club with a charter to look after members and do everything from running a sailing school to managing food and beverage outlets. There’s no international sporting body backing it up when it comes to this event.

The first thing Kirkjian quips back with when I ask this question is the club’s had a lot of experience; this is, after all, the 78th race. “I think we’ve got a good process in place,” she says.

“We’re always looking to make the race a little bit better, both on and off water. When I first started here, it was a yacht race, and it’s now an event. It’s the off-water side of things we’ve tried to build on and to have a race village surrounding both the Sydney and the Hobart end.”

But as exciting and engaging as the race is, Kirkjian admits there is a dichotomy – she says she feels like she has two jobs. 

“You’re running a yacht club, and you’ve got to make sure that all ticks. If someone’s just a twilight sailor, that’s as important to them as the Sydney Hobart is to others. 

“It is about having strong people around you. When I stepped up into the role as CEO, I made sure I had someone in mind who could take on my sailing manager role that I would be comfortable handing that over to [and that] what I had put in place over the past 19 years was kept that way.” 

But the key for Kirkjian is her volunteer base. By her estimation, the club has only 22 full-time employees, with more casuals mainly in the food and beverage and marina side. 

“We are fortunate to have volunteers from the board of directors right down to assisting with on-water race management.” 

The evolution of the race has seen onshore infrastructure grow substantially bigger over the years, including a “race village”, which is in situ for most of December. That’s where the club house’s media and hosts pre-race functions, cocktail parties and an information centre. “I guess it was a race for competitors previously,” she says, “And whilst we’re very mindful of that, we also want to be able to bring the race to the people.” 

  THE VULGAR QUESTION  

But I had to ask. So, how do you bankroll it? This has got to be an expensive race – what does it cost? Kirkjian confirmed – a lot. “A lot more than people expect,” she added. 

“We are very lucky that our operating expenses [are] kept low with having volunteers. We couldn’t do it if we had to pay all the volunteers. 

“Within the club, we have quite a few revenue streams. We have a large marina that we lease from NSW Maritime, and then we on-lease those births to members. 

“And then we’ve got food and beverage. We try to keep the costs associated with being involved in yacht racing as low as we can. Our strategy’s always been to keep racing as cheap as possible and work through other avenues to make money.” 

Kirkjian was at pains to point out, quite justifiably when you crunch the numbers, the club simply couldn’t put on the event without sponsor support – it’s just too big. While acknowledging all the club’s partners, she highlighted Rolex’s 20 years with the event. 

“To have someone like that involved is just phenomenal,” she says. 

Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world.  Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here   or  become a member here.

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024: A Legendary Challenge Awaits

As the 79th edition of the Sydney Hobart approaches, the excitement is palpable. Whether you're a seasoned sailor, an offshore racing enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys the spectacle of high-level competition, the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race promises to deliver thrilling moments, testing the limits of both yachts and crews.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, one of the world’s most iconic and challenging offshore races, is gearing up for its 79th edition, set to begin in less than 100 days on Thursday, 26 December 2024 . This 628-nautical-mile event, known for its unforgiving conditions and competitive spirit, will once again capture the attention of sailors and spectators worldwide. Starting from Sydney Harbour and finishing in Hobart , Tasmania, this annual race represents the pinnacle of blue water sailing and is a testament to endurance, strategy, and seamanship.

The Route: A Grueling Offshore Odyssey

The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is renowned not just for its length but for the treacherous nature of the journey. The race begins with a spectacular start on Sydney Harbour at 1300 hrs AEDT , where hundreds of boats jostle for position in front of a cheering crowd. From there, the fleet heads south, navigating the unpredictable conditions of the Bass Strait —a body of water known for its challenging weather, including strong winds, heavy seas, and rapidly changing conditions.

The final stretch down the east coast of Tasmania can be just as tricky, often offering complex tactical decisions as yachts negotiate the Derwent River, where the wind can die down or shift abruptly, impacting the final standings. The combination of distance, weather, and tactical nuances makes the Sydney Hobart race one of the most demanding in the world.

A Legendary Race with Global Prestige

First held in 1945, the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has grown to become one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized sailing events. Each year, it draws competitors from around the globe, from professional sailors aboard cutting-edge maxis to passionate amateur crews in smaller vessels. The event has a storied history of drama, triumphs, and challenges, which has cemented its place as a must-do race for sailors seeking adventure and achievement.

Many yachts in the 2024 race will vie for the coveted Tattersall Cup , awarded to the overall winner on corrected time under the IRC rating system. Meanwhile, line honors, which go to the first yacht to cross the finish line, are another fiercely contested prize. The battle between supermaxis—60-foot-plus yachts designed for speed—always provides a thrilling spectacle.

The 2024 Fleet: A Diverse and Competitive Lineup

Entries for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race have already opened, and sailors from around the world are eager to test their skills in this renowned event. The fleet will feature a diverse mix of yachts, from high-tech racing machines to seasoned offshore cruisers, each bringing their own strengths and strategies to the table. As of now, several prominent yachts have registered, and anticipation is building for a competitive race to Hobart.

Supermaxis like Comanche , Wild Oats XI , and Black Jack are expected to be among the top contenders for line honors, while a host of smaller and older boats, racing with experienced crews, will be in contention for overall victory on corrected time. These boats face the same course and conditions as the supermaxis, making for exciting and unpredictable results.

Key Challenges: Weather and Strategy

While the Sydney Hobart race has seen technological advancements in yacht design and navigation, the one constant challenge remains the weather. The Bass Strait is notorious for delivering fierce winds and rough seas, and many past editions of the race have been marked by storms that push yachts and crews to their limits. Strategic decisions—such as where to place the boat relative to wind shifts, when to change sails, and how to approach the unpredictable Derwent River in the race’s final stages—can make or break a campaign.

The 2024 edition is likely to be no different, with weather playing a pivotal role in determining both the speed of the race and the eventual winner. Sailors will be closely watching the forecasts, making real-time decisions on everything from sail selection to positioning.

A Spectacle for Spectators

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is not just a challenge for those on the water—it’s also a major event for spectators. The dramatic start on Sydney Harbour draws large crowds, both onshore and on the water, as hundreds of boats vie for the best positions to watch the action unfold. The sight of yachts racing out through the Sydney Heads , with spinnakers flying, is an unforgettable moment for those watching.

As the race progresses, many will follow the fleet’s progress through live tracking , as yachts make their way towards Hobart. For those in Hobart , the atmosphere is electric, as crowds gather at Constitution Dock to welcome the first boats in, often amid jubilant celebrations.

Looking Ahead: The 79th Edition and Beyond

As the 79th edition of the Sydney Hobart approaches, the excitement is palpable. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor, an offshore racing enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys the spectacle of high-level competition, the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race promises to deliver thrilling moments, testing the limits of both yachts and crews.

In the face of challenges like tough weather, strategic gambles, and tight competition, this year’s race is sure to add another chapter to the legend of one of the world’s greatest offshore challenges. Will the current record-breaking times fall? Can a new boat or crew rise to the occasion and claim victory? Only time—and the Bass Strait—will tell.

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Race

Maxis jockey for position at the start in Sydney Harbour. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi / Rolex

The Rolex Sydney Hobart race is one of the most famous yacht races in the world hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in conjunction with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania starting in Sydney, New South Wales, on Boxing Day and finishing in Hobart, Tasmania.

The Sydney Hobart is considered one of the big 600 milers and is a key offshore race in the calendar for any number of big boat campaigns, sitting alongside other races of a similar length including the Fastnet Race , The Caribbean 600 and the Middle Sea Race .

The inaugural edition of the 630 nautical mile race in 1945 had nine starters. John Illingworth’s Rani , built at Speers Point was the winner, taking six days, 14 hours and 22 minutes.

Records fell for many years in the early days of the race, but in 1975 Kialoa from the United States set a new course record that would stand for fully 21 years before being beaten by the German yacht Morning Glory in 1996, and then only by a dramatic 29 minutes.

The race record now stands at 1 day 9 hours 15 minutes and 24 seconds and was set by the 100ft super-maxi Comanche in 2017.

Comanche is one of only a handful of yachts to have taken line honours in the race on multiple occasions, having now crossed the finish line into Hobart first on three separate occasions.

But the boat most associated with race wins is another super-maxi, Wild Oats XI which has won the race a hugely impressive nine times, including a four race winning streak between 2004-2008.

The Sydney Hobart is renowned for tough weather, with the Bass Strait, and the waters of the Pacific Ocean immediately to its east often experiencing high winds and difficult seas.

Even though the race is held in the Australian summer, southerly buster storms often make the it cold, bumpy, and very challenging for the crew. It is typical for a considerable number of yachts to retire, often at Eden on the New South Wales south coast, the last sheltered harbour before Flinders Island.

The 1998 Sydney Hobart was marred by tragedy when, during an exceptionally strong storm (which had similar strength winds to a lower-category hurricane), five boats sank and six people died.

Of the 115 boats that started, only 44 made it to Hobart. As a result, the crew eligibility rules were tightened, requiring a higher minimum age and experience.

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Published on November 21st, 2023 | by Editor

Field confirmed for Sydney Hobart Race

Published on November 21st, 2023 by Editor -->

A diverse fleet, including multiple former winners, will take on the 628 nautical mile 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day.

One hundred and thirteen boats are entered for the 78th running of Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s (CYCA) famous race, which begins from Sydney Harbor on December 26.

There are 10 international entrants: from New Zealand (Allegresse, Caro and Niksen), Hong Kong (Antipodes and SHK Scallywag), New Caledonia (Eye Candy), USA (Lenny), France (Teasing Machine), Germany (Rockall 8), and Ireland (Cinnamon Girl).

Australia is represented across all six states, with New South Wales home to 60 entries, while Queensland fields 18, Victoria 15, Tasmania 7, Western Australia 2, and South Australia 1.

Four 100-foot maxis will likely vie for Line Honors this year – four-time winner Andoo Comanche which took Line Honors in 2022 and holds the race record of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds as LDV Comanche for Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant (2017).

But Andoo Comanche will be pressed by Law Connect, which placed second last year and won the John H Illingworth Challenge Cup as first across the line back in 2016 as Perpetual LOYAL, SHK Scallywag, and Wild Thing 100, the recently modified Botin 80 Stefan Racing.

“Scallywag [didn’t race last year] is an unknown quantity, but I believe Witty [David Witt] has the boat in the best shape ever,” observed Andoo Comanche skipper John Winning Jr. “Law Connect broke the record in 2016 [as Perpetual LOYAL] so they have a phenomenal boat.

“Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing is another unknown. Wharo is working around the clock to get the boat finished. He is a determined man so I’m sure he will have the boat ready to go.”

Sam Haynes and the crew of his TP52 Celestial (above) are back to defend the coveted Tattersall Cup awarded in 2022 as Overall winner under IRC on corrected time.

“TP52s seem to fit the race, then you need skilled sailors with the personalities to match,” notes Haynes. “You need confidence too and I’m going to put my best foot forward.”

The competition for the major prize will be hotly contested this year with eight mini maxis and nine TP52s and other 52-foot racers as well as a range of smaller boats across all divisions, including two-handed, that could be up for the challenge if conditions favour them.

Five other past Overall winners are racing this year: • Alive (2018) • Bumblebee V (2001) • Love & War (1974, 1978, 2006), one of only three yachts to have won Overall on three separate occasions (Freya, Love & War, and Ichi Ban) • Christina, winner of the 1946 Sydney Hobart • Wild Oats/Wild Rose, won in 1993 and 2014 respectively

Twenty Two-Handed entries are competing. Rupert Henry returns as the 2022 Two-Handed Division winner with his Lombard 34 Mistral.

Henry describes sailing Hobart two-handed, “We only manage around 4 hours max of sleep each. We know when each other needs to crash so we do it then. I don’t prefer two-handed sailing, but I’m just enjoying trying to reach my full potential with just two people racing it.”

Jules Hall, who won the inaugural Two-Handed Division in 2021 with Jan Scholten on Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth, will be campaigning the J/99 fully-crewed this year and has put together a strong team comprised of CYCA’s Youth Sailing Academy sailors – a mix of both experienced and first-timers.

There will also be a large number of women sailors competing. Lisa Callaghan, who owns the Sydney 38 Mondo with Stephen Teudt, returns to the race in 2023 with unfinished business after retiring Mondo last year with a broken gooseneck.

Of the 113 entrants, seven were only built this year and 33 were constructed before 2000. The oldest entrant is Ena Ladd’s Christina, built in 1932. She is returning after 77 years having done just the one race in 1946.

One of the older boats, Robert Williams’ 1960-built Sylph VI, makes a return to the Sydney Hobart for the first time in 51 years after having competed five times back in the 1960s and early ‘70s.

From the four 100-foot maxis through to the three 30-footers (Currawong, Niksen, and Gun Runner), the 2023 fleet will join the 6,407 boats that have competed since 1945 when nine boats took on the challenge to race to Hobart from Sydney Harbour.

Details: https://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/

The 628 nm course for the 78th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has several key features following the exit from Sydney Harbor on December 26. Most notable is the crossing of the easternmost edge of the exposed Bass Strait, a notorious expanse of water that can serve up punishing and violent waves, and then periods when the sea is calm as the wind fades. The final stretch up the Derwent River into Hobart can be either kind or cruel when deciding the results of the race.

Tags: Sydney Hobart

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: Latest updates and live boat cam coverage

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

The Yacht Race You Need to See to Believe

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Considered one of the most difficult yacht races in the world, this is one of Australia’s most beloved and anticipated events.

What Is It?

The yacht race starts in Sydney, Australia and takes racers all the way to the Tassie capital of Hobart , taking place over several days. The winner often reaches the finish line in less than two. With over 100 contestants, this is an extremely challenging and competitive race.

What Can You Expect

Interested in catching the end of the race? Go to Hobart’s Constitution Dock where the fleet will arrive after finishing the race and witness local new year festivities.

The race is held by both the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (Sydney). The winner receives a Rolex watch--hence the festival’s name. It is extremely difficult to win and the crews of the yachts compete at the most professional level.

When and Where?

Not sure where to go? If you want to celebrate with the yacht’s captain’s and enjoy champagne, then you will want to go to Hobart.To get there, fly into Hobart’s international airport .

Go to the Royal Botanical Gardens for the best view of the competing yachts. For a fun time, bring food and snacks for a picnic. If you want to see the boats cross the finish line, then you will need to stay in Hobart beforehand. Most boats start to arrive 2 or 3 days after the race begins.

The race started in 1945. Since that time, its taken place every single year without missing a beat. Yacht racing can find its origins in England.

Luckily for spectators, the event only costs money for those yachts that register to compete.

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Questions answered about the details of Hobart's Macquarie Point stadium proposal

Topic: Urban Development and Planning

A lot of new information about the proposed Macquarie Point stadium for Hobart has been released, as part of the official submission for the project to be granted special status .

It included a 269-page main document, and more than 4,000 pages of reports, covering topics from car parking and access, to cost benefit and crowd estimates — as well as many new images of the proposed stadium.

We've broken down some of the key topics:

The stadium cost plan is $715.5 million, but when escalation (potential fluctuations in fees, materials and labour costs) is included, that rises to almost $775 million.

The Macquarie Point Development Corporation is confident it can deliver the stadium within its $716 million budget by finding tweaks to the design as planning progresses.

The money is coming from the Tasmanian government ($375 million), borrowings ($85 million), the AFL ($15 million) and the Commonwealth ($240 million).

Separate to the stadium, the Tasmanian government has also promised $12 million per year over 12 years in start-up costs for the new AFL club.

The stadium is supposed to be ready for the 2029 AFL season, and the state government is responsible for any stadium cost overruns.

Tasmanian Sport Minister Nic Street said government would go to the private market for investment for any shortfall.

The government will also need to pay the new AFL club an extra $4.5 million if the stadium build is less than 50 per cent complete by October 2027, and another $4.5 million if it can't host matches in the 2029 season.

Cost benefit:

The KPMG's cost-benefit analysis included in the submission takes into account the cost of construction, an operating subsidy of $231.5 million, the funding needed to attract events and the state government's start-up funding for the new AFL club.

It also looks at quantifiable benefits such as increased income for Tasmanian businesses and increased community pride.

With all that taken into account, KPMG has estimated a net cost of $237.07 million, with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 0.69.

KPMG says that's not unusual for a project where a lot of the benefit can't be quantified.

The Macquarie Point Development Corporation says it's a good outcome given the Allianz Stadium in Sydney had a BCR of 0.62 and the Townsville Stadium had a BCR of 0.21 — but both stadiums "continue to operate successfully and deliver benefits to residents".

Economic impact:

KPMG's economic impact assessment finds that the stadium's construction will add $250 million to $269 million to Tasmania's gross state product (GSP) and create between 1,510 and 3,229 full-time direct and indirect jobs.

It projects that real income per capita will increase by somewhere between $175 and $271 between 2024-25 and 2028-29 in the construction phase, and between $191 and $242 per person a year on average during its operational phase.

Once the stadium is operating, modelling indicates an uplift in GSP of up to $32 million a year, largely due to spending by interstate visitors over the whole of their trip to Tasmania, and about 200 ongoing direct jobs.

The modelling also projects Tasmania will benefit from $50 million in retained spending — from Tasmanians who attend a game or concert locally instead of flying interstate to see it.

If you think you are going to get a rock star park right outside the stadium, think again — there will be no public car park at the stadium.

Instead, punters will be encouraged to catch a bus, ferry, ride a bike, or walk.

Traffic modelling is based on 60 per cent of stadium-goers using public transport.

And developers say under that scenario, on an event night traffic congestion would be better or comparable to the typical weekday morning peak period.

Although modelling does show a big concert attracting around 31,500 people could create overcrowding on traffic routes, including the Tasman Bridge which would be over capacity.

And concerns have been raised about what happens when there is an AFL match, cricket at Bellerive Oval and a cruise ship in dock with close to 5,000 people aboard.

Developers say that's when forward planning is needed and requests to AFL scheduling would need to be made.

Given the traffic modelling depends heavily on people taking up the public transport options, what are they?

There will be four park and ride facilities in Kingston, Rokeby, Midway Point and Claremont.

It's hoped rapid bus services between the CBD, Glenorchy, Kingston and Rosny Park will be in place by the time the stadium opens. If not, extra bus services will be available on event days.

There's also the proposed Northern Access Road which would provide direct access from the Tasman Highway to the north of the port.

The road then morphs into a bus interchange at the stadium, allowing fans to come into the arena at the concourse level.

And there are plans to expand the ferry service to six locations around Hobart.

The government said the Northern Rail Corridor will be a vital part of the transport plan for the stadium, but didn't elaborate whether it would be developed for light rail or a bus service.

If none of that works for you, then there's a taxi or rideshare option, although there will be no drop-off area reserved at the stadium — you'll only get as far as the CBD.

For the 40 per cent of people expected to drive themselves to the game, there are around 4,000 car parks in the CBD.

Access for patrons with a disability would be through two drop-off sites — one at the western end of Evans Street and another at the event bus plaza.

Construction:

The stadium is scheduled to be ready in time for the AFL season in 2029, with construction expected to commence in late 2025.

That hinges on all going well with the approval process and the signing of contracts with builders.

There will be 1,510 to 3,229 full-time jobs during construction which will be broken up into six stages.

1.    Site establishment (9-11 months)

2.    Bulk excavation (8-10 months)

3.    Substructure (5-7 months)

4.    Structure and roof (25-30 months)

5.    Services and finishes (12-15 months)

6.    Landscaping (8-10 months)

The materials used will include structural steel for the frame of the stadium and precast concrete for seating.

The roof is made of translucent ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) pillows over a hybrid frame of steel and locally grown and sourced timber.

Around 180,000 tonnes of material will be excavated from the site to prepare for construction.

That will mean trucks coming in and out of the site every four to six minutes.

Because the soil is contaminated, samples will be taken for testing and then taken to the appropriate tip site depending on the classification of the material by an environmental scientist.

The existing main sewer line running through the site will be relocated before construction starts.

The highest likely levels of vibration and noise will be during the excavation of hard rock over a period of 13 to 17 months. Sound levels could be in the order of 120 decibels.

Piles will be drilled into the site and the report raises risks of landslip, ground subsidence and liquefaction.

The structural frame of the stadium and roof will be erected using large cranes inside the stadium bowl area.

The use of electric-power cranes is being considered to reduce construction noise.

Generally, construction will happen during daylight hours in a bid to minimise disturbance to residents and businesses.

And noise control measures will be put in place.

The Goods Shed will be dismantled and relocated to the northern part of the site.

Facilities:

What facilities will there be for punters, besides a seat in a stadium?

Of course, there will be places to buy a pie and hot chips at half time and food and beverage outlets on the ground level.

There will be corporate boxes, media areas and meeting rooms on levels 2 and 3.

At the field level there will be change rooms and facilities for home and away teams.

Conferences and functions will also happen at the stadium, with a 1,500-person function room with views toward kunanyi/Mt Wellington in the internal concourse area.

And if you are really keen, there will be stadium tours operating.

The Goods Shed will be also be fitted out for events and there will be a mixed-use zone outside the stadium with shops, bars and restaurants.

Now that the stadium documents have been submitted, the Planning Commission is expected to take up to 12 months to assess them.

After that, the stadium must pass both houses of parliament, which could happen by the end of 2025.

Construction is planned to begin in late 2025.

The Tasmania Devils will enter the VFL (a "reserves" competition for the AFL) in 2026, the AFLW in 2027, and the AFL men's competition in 2028.

The men's side will play its first season at Bellerive Oval.

The stadium is then expected to be completed by the end of 2028, before AFL overlay and other events works are added, running into the first six months of 2029.

The plan remains that the stadium will be ready by round 1 of the AFL men's season in 2029.

Each of these dates is specified in the Tasmanian government's contract with the AFL and they remain in place, although a financial penalty will apply should the stadium not be ready in time.

The stadium was a prerequisite for the AFL to grant Tasmania a club licence — so, unsurprisingly, football is the main game.

The stadium will host seven home matches for the Devils' men's team and three home games for the Devils' AFLW team, plus a pre-season match for each competition.

It will also be available to host Tasmania Devils Victorian Football League (a second-tier competition) and Victorian Football League Women's (VFLW) matches and Tasmania Devils Academy matches, and local league finals competitions.

Other sports:

The Macquarie Point Development Corporation and state government are at pains to ensure people know the stadium is not just for footy.

The application to the Planning Commission makes a point of mentioning that the stadium roof has been designed with cricket in mind.

The application says modelling based on Hawk-Eye camera data indicates "very low likelihood of contact between the roof and cricket balls".

The stadium will be able to cater for four Big Bash League games and four Women's Big Bash League games, as well as one test match and a women's One Day International or T20 match.

The stadium paperwork also flags the prospect of attracting national soccer teams, the Matildas and Socceroos, for friendly games or qualifiers, and the capacity for rugby league and union games.

The stadium will be in competition with other cities to attract international sporting content, such as soccer and cricket.

Macquarie Point is a 9.3-hectare piece of land wedged between Hobart's historic waterfront, a working port and a highway.

It's mostly reclaimed land once used as a farm, abattoir, lumber yard, rubbish disposal, freight and a rail yard.

The government originally planned to build apartment buildings on the land, along with an Aboriginal truth and reconciliation park.

Those plans changed when the AFL decided it wanted a stadium on Macquarie Point.

Goods Shed relocation: A circa-1915 railway goods shed sits right in the middle of the proposed stadium, and its heritage listing this year means it can't be demolished.

Instead, plans are being developed to relocate the shed to the north of the site, to be used as an events space physically separate from the stadium.

That will require an approval conservation management plan.

Aboriginal recognition: Tasmania is the only state without a statewide Aboriginal cultural centre, and the Aboriginal Heritage Council was disappointed that plans for the centre had been removed from the Macquarie Point precinct.

In its place, a "Aboriginal Culturally Informed Zone" was added, wedged between the stadium and the highway.

Consultation with the Aboriginal community is described as ongoing, and designs haven't been released.

Wastewater treatment plant: A sewer main runs under Macquarie Point, and its removal is meant to start in late 2024.

It runs to the Macquarie Point wastewater treatment plant, which is to be replaced with a pumping station by 2027.

This coincides with planned upgrades to the Selfs Point treatment plant, further up the Derwent.

This will all cost $314 million.

Sightlines: The documents say that the stadium will represent a significant "visual change" for the Hobart CBD, but that it has an "entitlement" to be seen as a public building, landmark and point of reference.

But its visual impact on the Hunter Street heritage buildings — which it sits behind — is described as "low" because of its setback, and use of a domed roof.

It does, however, present as a "prominent element" from most viewpoints around the Hobart CBD.

The stadium will obstruct two viewpoints from the Cenotaph, will impact visibility of the night sky when lights are in use, and appear most prominent via views from across the Derwent.

Port operations: The noise and light created by the stadium is not predicted to have impacts on the operations of the neighbouring port.

The documents show that the upgrade of Macquarie Wharf – which is required to enable Commonwealth funds for the stadium – are expected to occur at the same time as the stadium.

The Tasmanian government and Commonwealth remain at odds over the cost of the wharf upgrades.

The stadium was a requirement from the AFL for Tasmania to have its own team, so football is obviously the primary use and purpose.

It will host seven Tasmania Devil home games per year, with an average attendance estimate of 20,825.

An eighth game could also happen, if another AFL clubs chooses to play a home game there against Tasmania.

The other home games will be played at a redeveloped UTAS Stadium in Launceston.

There will be three AFLW matches per season with 4,900 crowds expected, and one men's and women's preseason game each.

What other sports could play there? Using a stadium for just a handful of AFL matches per season would exacerbate any financial losses that the stadium incurs, so other sports will be needed to pad out the calendar.

It’s expected to host four Big Bash League (BBL) men's cricket matches per season with average 10,413 attendance predicted, and four women’s matches.

After that, the stadium starts to compete with other capital cities for international sporting content.

This includes an attempt to host one men's Test match per summer with an estimated attendance of 14,088 per day, and one men's One Day International or T20 match with 15,313 predicted.

It also assumes it will host one Socceroos match every four years, and one Matildas match every four years, estimating an attendance of 22,050 each.

There will be an attempt to host one NRL match per season, with the estimated attendance put at a somewhat optimistic 17,763 per year.

What about concerts and other events? The documents estimate that it will host one full stadium concert per year with 30,000 people, as part of a broader tour.

The seats in a northern part of the stadium can be removed to create a "stage pocket" for full stadium concerts.

It’s also expected to host one "arena mode" concert per year with 10,000 people in attendance.

One-off events like monster trucks, boxing or freestyle motocross are also listed for every one or two years, with 12,000.

There’s also unspecified "mass participation events" and "existing local events" with 1,500 attendance.

Business functions aren’t included in the attendance estimates.

Antisocial behaviour? An event management plan still needs to be developed to manage how spectators disperse via Evans, Hunter and Davey streets, including any potential for antisocial behaviour.

The multipurpose venue will be owned by the Tasmanian government, with Stadiums Tasmania operating the arena.

Stadiums Tasmania is the custodian of the state's major stadiums.

The development of the Macquarie Point site, where the stadium will be built, is overseen by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC).

Developers say state ownership of the site removes the need for extended property acquisition and permission processes.

The site is comprised of seven land titles, which are either already owned by MPDC or in the process of being transferred to it.

Currently, two sites — owned by TasNetworks and the Crown — are in the process of being transferred to MPDC.

The impact of the stadium on Hobart's Cenotaph has been raised as a big area of concern by the RSL .

So what does the detailed planning report say?

There would be a very high impact on views from the Cenotaph across Sullivans Cove towards the foothills of Mount Nelson.

Parts of the Derwent River, Long Point and Lower Sandy Bay and sections of the Wellington Range will be obscured by the stadium when viewed from the Cenotaph.

Views of St George's Church from the Cenotaph are already partially blocked by existing vegetation.

But developers say the stadium will allow for new opportunities for views of the Cenotaph including from Evans Street, once the Goods Shed is relocated.

The RSL said it remains concerned about the development's height and proximity to the Cenotaph.

Construction work on the stadium will cease for significant war memorial events like ANZAC Day.

Environment:

Macquarie Point, where the stadium will be located, has significant cultural value. Developers admit that consulting Aboriginal community is an "ongoing process".

Since 2015, there have been four Aboriginal heritage assessments of the site — which have come back as low to indeterminate sensitivity.

Although Macquarie Point's far western end of the site is of high archaeological sensitivity, developers say the stadium will remain outside of it.

There are also three heritage-listed buildings on site, the Royal Engineers Building, the Red Shed and the Goods Shed — the latter of which will have to be relocated.

The Heritage Impact Assessment has suggested reducing the height of the stadium, but developers say that would compromise cost and visual appeal of the stadium.

It's noted the stadium's presence will result in environmental factors like noise, lighting, shadows, and waste.

Sirens, rowdy crowds and music will be heard in nearby sites like Hotel Grand Chancellor, the Cenotaph and the university's creative arts building. It's noted that noise emissions can also have an adverse impact on birds and animals feeding and mating.

To cut down on noise pollution, solid cladding will be applied to stadium's openings and roof will be made of mostly ETFE material — a fluorine-based plastic.

During games, the site will be significantly lit — and some light is granted to spill from the venue. Developers say a central control system used in other arenas will be in action to allow the dimming of lights.

Developers say the gently sloping design of the stadium dome will reduce the shadows cast by the structure. Trash produced by punters will be managed by the ban on single-use plastics and bins across the venue.

The report has also identified overland flooding, groundwater fluctuations, acid sulphate soils, landslip, ground subsidence, liquefaction, coastal inundation, and contaminated land as potential environmental hazards.

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

• Corinthian - IRC
• Corinthian - PHS
• 2-Handed IRC
• 2-Handed PHS
• 2-Handed Line Honours
• Line Honours

Standings information for the current race will not be available until approximately three hours after the start.

Race Organiser Notes

Unless otherwise flagged, all positions are obtained by a report from a GPS transceiver on the yachts.

• No Report Position unknown
• Deduced Reckoning No report received - position deduced using previous position
• Estimate No report received - position estimated
• Radio Report No report received - position obtained by radio from yacht
• Sighting No report received - position obtained by sighting of the yacht
• Interpolation No report received - position interpolated from earlier and later known positions.
• Protest Pending
• Penalty Applied
• Redress Applied