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26 December – 1800
The 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is off and racing and with the southerly forecast arriving as expected the downwind start saw Law Connect and the 88 footer Lucky storming off the first start line for the early lead on line honours. After a tough start at the pin end, SHK Scallywag caught up to Palm Beach XI and Masterlock Comanche to make the top five around the first turning mark. Masterlock Comanche worked its way up and inside of Lucky, and looked to snatch Law Connect’s run of triple “first out of the harbour” bragging rights by beating them to the outer turning mark.
Law Connect did manage to make it three from three out of the heads, and was first to start punching out to sea, as the maxi fleet settled into their best modes in the first upwind phase.
Close behind, the mini maxis and TP52 fleets compressed at the turning mark. The Callisto crew showed her Admiral’s Cup and Rolex Middle Sea Race form, though this time racing the larger boat in their program, quickly settling into a fast mode and pushing into the 60+ foot section of the fleet.
The concertina of colour forged out of the harbour from the 52’s back, with the parade of colour steaming up the Harbour and around the turning marks. It was a game of snakes and ladders in the Sound, with boats three and four abreast at times as they worked to their respective turning marks.
Offshore from the air, the ex Rambler 88, Lucky, continued to pace with the maxis, sitting in second to third on line honours, depending on the shift. Law Connect and Palm Beach XI opted for an inshore option, while the rest of the line honours leading pack remained offshore. At the 90 minute mark into the race, most double handed crews appeared to be sailing solo, except Pacman and Mistral who were pushing with co-skippers still on the rail. Callisto was moding well and the crew were packed so tightly on the rail you could almost not make out the individuals on board. Serious synchronicity. On heading back towards the shore, boats opting for less swell inshore included Chutzpah, Making Waves Foundation Kayle and Clockwork.
Organisers have confirmed that the David Witt-skippered supermaxi SHK Scallywag 100 completed a 720-degree (two full turns) manoeuvre before heading down the coast, in order to head off possible time penalties later in the race.
The race also acknowledged and paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi shooting, with crews dropping rose petals in the water as they passed Bondi Beach.
The tough conditions ahead for the crews took an early toll on some.
Yendys did not start the race, with a broken backstay. Sumatra suspended racing Oroton Drumfire spent around 90 minutes stopped in Botany Bay fixing an issue, resuming racing around 17:00.
Retirements at time of posting:
- Yendys (DNS)
- Hutchies Yeah Baby (Head Stay Foil)
- White Noise (Rigging issues)
- Inukshuk (Rudder issues)
At 18:00 there are 125 yachts racing.
26 December – 0600
The 80th Great Race is here, and Sailor Girl HQ has you covered from start to finish. From our original extended cut dock walk on Boxing Day, to a full start recap — including the addition of a helicopter this year post start — and as many live finishes as we can bring you down south. All of this broadcast from our trusty Highfield, SGHQ01, already waiting at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania for our arrival.
Full YouTube playlist is below – all of our live coverage will be on YouTube this year!
Other updates, including image galleries and highlights videos will be on Instagram and Facebook.
If you are looking to watch the start, we are unable to go live for the start, or within one hour of it under accreditation. Locally, head to Channel 9 or 9 Now, if you are an international, head to CYCATV on YouTube.
There is lot more that we will be sharing, away from the start! A big thanks to our longstanding content partners for this year’s additions, Harken and Musto.
You can re-live last year’s Hobart on our Rolex Sydney Hobart 2024 – YouTube playlist, and make sure you subscribe!
Stay tuned, to Sailor Girl HQ!
