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Watch the Sydney to Hobart live
Watch along live as racers prepare for the 1pm start of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Crowds gather around Sydney Harbour to see off racers
By Jonathan Drennan
G’day, we are live on the media boat in what looks like almost perfect conditions. A bit of breeze, blue skies and 27 degrees.
There’s a tiny bit of chop on the water as expected, but it’s a mere speed bump compared to what the sailors will face in the early hours of tomorrow morning, when the wind is due to whip up and create challenging conditions for all of the sailors, with big waves expected.
Part of the beauty of this event is the mix of sailors and personality, Christian Beck’s 100 footer super maxi LawConnect looking to defend line-honours, sharing the water with the nimble 30 footer two-handers that push the crew to their limits.
We are edging towards the start and judging by the packed crowds at Rushcutters Bay to get a final glimpse of the yachts before they depart, there will be a busy start along Sydney Harbour.
In January, Renee had barely sailed before. Tomorrow she could win the Sydney to Hobart
By Nick Newling
When first-time sailor Renee Illich was selected to join the crew of her boss Christian Beck’s boat, LawConnect, her husband, a lifelong sailor, was “very jealous”. He’d always wanted to race the Hobart but only on a big boat, exactly what Illich, Head of Global Marketing at Beck’s company, had been offered.
“Any kinds of weather reports [I get], I’ve been reading to him and being like ‘please interpret’.”
Renee Illich and her boss, the owner and skipper of LawConnect.Credit: Rhett Wyman
Over the years, Beck has made a habit of bringing staff from his company on board to take on the Sydney to Hobart, and this year is no different. Since being selected, Illich and a number of other colleagues have been given a crash course on sailing and raced in qualifiers, though she says they will take an assisting role over the coming days to let the professionals shine.
“Our role is to support the crew, probably more in a non-sailing capacity. Making sure they’ve got food and coffee,” said Illich, “These are some of the best sailors in the world, and that’s why it’s pretty amazing that we get to go onboard alongside them.
“They’ve been giving me small jobs, like putting ropes in a bag, and I consider that a huge responsibility.”
Illich and the crew will be on four-hour shifts throughout the race, and while she had originally hoped to find some time to hunker down below deck and unwind with an audiobook, she said, “There’s absolutely no time for that. You wouldn’t even be able to hear it the engine is so loud.”
Wild weather could shock the race overnight
By Nick Newling
A few hours ago, racers were given their final weather briefing from the BOM, with thunderstorms, three-and-a-half metre waves, erratic wind changes, and reduced visibility all on the radar.
Weather on the harbour this afternoon will be picture-perfect, with blue skies and strengthening northeasterly winds that will help get racers on their way. However, a predicted trough is set to arrive about 1am on Friday morning as racers approach the Bass Strait, bringing strong-to-gale-force southwesterly winds.
A southwesterly is set to hit racers as they approach the Bass Strait.Credit: BOM
“It’s certainly going to be fast and furious out there tonight,” said Master Lock Comanche co-skipper Matt Allen. “The boat speeds are going to be through the roof. I think we’ll be doing 30 to 40 knots through the water. It’s going to be a really tough night before we get into that front, which … will be quite good for the bigger boats.”
Read more about the race weather forecast here.
Welcome!
By Nick Newling
Hello, and welcome to our live coverage of the 79th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race! My name is Nick Newling, and I will be taking you through the race today.
It’s a beautiful Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour, and 104 yachts are preparing to soar over the starting lines when the cannon is fired at 1.00pm.
I’ll be bringing you updates live from the Darling Point Race Village, so follow along and if you’re watching the race from around the harbour, be sure to share your pictures with us!
