2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - the 70th

by Louise Bashford on 18 Nov 2014 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - The official launch of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2014 will take place next Tuesday, 25 November 2014, in the Terrace Room at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour in Sydney. The launch will mark just one month until the Boxing Day start of one of the world’s most famous yacht races.

A fleet of 118 yachts is expected to line up for this year’s race and details will be officially announced by CYCA Commodore John Cameron. A panel of skippers and crew contesting the 70th Rolex Sydney Hobart will be present at the launch.

The most scintillating line honours battle in years will take place between defending triple crown holder Wild Oats XI (Bob Oatley), Perpetual Loyal (Anthony Bell), newly hulled Ragamuffin 100 (Syd Fischer), and US entries, the brand new Comanche (Jim Clark and Kristy Hinze-Clark) and RIO 100 (Manouch Moshayedi).

Wild Oats XI and Perpetual Loyal have updated again, undergoing further modifications during this year. Fischer’s new Ragamuffin 100 has retained the deck of the previous Ragamuffin 100, but it has been extensively modified and fitted to a new hull. In addition she has a new canting keel, water ballast, twin rudders and new sail wardrobe.

Comanche is the culmination of a two-year project; the yacht has been designed and built to push the boundaries of technology with the ultimate goal of winning prestigious yacht races and breaking sailing records. RIO 100, the former Lahana, has been extensively modified and lengthened to 100ft and is sporting a new silver/grey paint job, magnifying an undeniably sleek appearance.

Darryl Hodgkinson and Victoire are back to defend their 2013 overall handicap win, while Danielle ‘Mopsy’ Ovenden will be leaving her husband at home to skipper the family boat, Let’s Go to Hobart. At a mere 10.5 metres, James Cameron’s Hick 35, Luna Sea, will again do duty as one of the pintsized yachts in fleet.

There are 36 entries for the inaugural Corinthian Division, providing another dimension to the race. It is open to all yachts meeting the Corinthian amateur standard. The winner’s name will be engraved on a trophy donated by dedicated CYCA members, Michael and Jeannette York.

This year, the Australian National Maritime Museum is marking the 70th race edition with an intimate photographic exhibition. It offers a taste of the drama and evolution of the Sydney Hobart and will be open to the public until February 2014.

This 70th edition of the race boasts the largest fleet for many years, vying for line and overall honours, signalling the most interesting 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart in years.