Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2021 SnuffAir 728x90 TOP

Big Boat Challenge 2012 – All-out war to unfold off Sydney Harbour

by Jennifer Crooks on 10 Dec 2012
Wild Oats XI Solas Big Boat Challenge 2012
The SOLAS Big Boat Challenge 2012 will be a perfect venue for Rolex Sydney-Hobart race contenders to have their final tuning and gain some momentum ahead of the Boxing Day showdown off Sydney Harbour. The annual maxi yacht race is sure to be an all-out war among the big names in Australian sailing, including five-time line honours winner Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI.

Media are invited to be a part of Australia’s most spectacular annual maxi yacht race and preview to the Rolex Sydney Hobart line honours contest – the 19th SOLAS Big Boat Challenge.

One of the most exciting days on Sydney Harbour each year, the annual big boat dash around some of the harbour’s most famous landmarks will again bring together Rolex Sydney Hobart line honours contenders for this pre-Boxing Day showdown.

Expected on the start line of the invitation-only event is Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI vying for its sixth line honours win and Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing, that has been recently extended to 100 foot.

Entries have also been received from Peter Millard and John Honan’s 98ft Lahana, Jim Cooney’s famous Jutson 80 Brindabella, Peter Harburg’s RP66 Black Jack and near sistership Wild Oats X, Stephen Ainsworth’s RP63 Loki, Andrew Wenham’s Volvo 60 Southern Excellence, Marcus Blackmore’s TP52 Hooligan and Bob Steel’s TP52 Quest and a number of other grand prix racers.

A full list of entrants can be found at: Solas Big Boat Challenge
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeAllen SailingMcDYachts_Pyewacket-for-Sale_1456x180 BOTTOM

Related Articles

Ocean Graders' Delight
What's in a gradient, and what's that got to do with the Sydney to Hobart race? What's in a gradient, and what's that got to do with the Sydney to Hobart race? Consider a path up to a picnic spot with a grand view – think gentle slope. One that makes you crane your neck back as your eyes go skyward – think goat track.
Posted today at 6:03 am
Merry Christmas and Thank You!
A time to celebrate sailing I'd like to start by wishing you all a Happy Christmas, and hope that however you are celebrating, you are having fun with friends and family.
Posted today at 1:00 am
Countdown to Boxing Day
North Sails Rolex Sydney Hobart 2025 Preview Anticipation is building for the 80th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, a milestone moment for one of the world's most storied offshore challenges.
Posted on 24 Dec
The Famous Project CIC Jules Verne Trophy Day 24
A cape, gifts, and a fishing net for Christmas At the time when Australians open their Christmas presents, due to the time difference, the sailors of the all-female The Famous Project CIC crossed the longitude of Cape Leeuwin at the southwestern tip of the Australian continent at 1:19 p.m.
Posted on 24 Dec
49er and 49erFX Rookie Teams of the Year 2025
A new generation steps up Each season brings fresh faces into the fleet, but only a few manage to make an immediate impact. In 2025, several new teams stepped into the senior 49er class with confidence beyond their years — earning recognition as the Rookie Teams of the Year.
Posted on 24 Dec
World Sailing releases Marine Megafauna guidelines
Developed to help the sailing community better manage the risks World Sailing, the global governing body of the sport of sailing, and the Marine Mammal Advisory Group (MMAG) have announced the release of the landmark Marine Megafauna in Sailing guidelines.
Posted on 24 Dec
Rolex Sydney Hobart set for demanding first night
Strong southerlies and big ocean swell are shaping as the defining features Strong southerlies and big ocean swell are shaping as the defining features of the opening stages of the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, equating to a demanding first night at sea.
Posted on 24 Dec
The Gear LawConnect and Comanche Trust Offshore
Offshore yacht racing demands absolute confidence in equipment Offshore yacht racing demands absolute confidence in equipment. With long hours on deck, crews face constant exposure, changing conditions and sustained physical pressure. Every layer of gear must perform seamlessly, without compromise.
Posted on 24 Dec
Win the ultimate smart sailing and data technology
Your chance to win an elite weather forecasting and data gathering/handling system In celebration of 15 years of PredictWind, Sail-World is teaming up with a leading marine weather forecaster to give one winner the ultimate prize: a 12-month PredictWind Professional subscription and DataHub®, the ultimate GPS tracker and smart device.
Posted on 24 Dec
SailGP: 13 teams and 13 events for 2026
Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP, reflects on Season 5 and what's ahead for Season 6 Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP, reflects on Season 5 and what's ahead for Season 6: "As we close the book on our fifth season, I want to start with two numbers that still make me smile every time I say them out loud."
Posted on 24 Dec