Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

History to be made in 75th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 15 Apr 2019 15:17 AEST 26 December 2019
Start 2018 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race © Rolex / Studio Borlenghi

Entries are now open for the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with the just-launched Notice of Race (NOR) encouraging sailors from around the world to join the historic 75th running of the 'Everest' of ocean racing.

First conducted in 1945 from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, the annual bluewater classic, which starts on Boxing Day each year, has evolved into a pinnacle sailing event, drawing interest and entries from around the globe.

The CYCA Sailing Committee anticipates a larger fleet than the average 95 entries of recent years with early indications of a bumper start on December 26, 2019 for between 120 and 140 boats. Organisers will accommodate as many starters that apply and meet the eligibility criteria.

Given the bigger fleet, the host club is in discussions with other Sydney yacht clubs and marinas, as well as Roads and Maritime Services, to devise a berthing plan to accommodate the anticipated influx of boats to Sydney Harbour pre-Christmas.

Longtime finishing partner the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania is going through the same process with additional berthing to be made available in Constitution Dock and Kings Pier marina.

With the world's eyes turning to this year's milestone race, the CYCA has undertaken a full review of the Notice of Race, the official document which stipulates entry requirements and, once published, signifies online entry is open. While the changes to the NOR are material, competitors should read the document carefully.

"The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is one of the greatest ocean races in the world and is the jewel in the CYCA's crown," CYCA Commodore Paul Billingham says.

"The 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race marks the 75th race south and we are planning to celebrate with a calendar of events that pays tribute to one of Australia's greatest annual sporting fixtures.

"We look forward to including entrants, supporters, media and the public from around the world to the 75th Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

"We can't wait for Boxing Day... and the party we'll have throughout the year."

The anniversary 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is expected to lure a number of former overall winners back to the start line, one of the best-known being Simon Kurts' magnificent Sparkman & Stephens design called Love & War, a triple Tattersall Cup winner, in 1974, 1978 and 2006.

Additionally, the CYCA is requesting expressions of interest from overseas competitors looking at shipping their boats as part of a group from the Mediterranean or East Coast USA in October to compete in the 75th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Please email to express your interest.

Rolex's partnership with the CYCA and its premier event began in 2002 and the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer is proud to be the naming rights sponsor of the 75th anniversary race.

The NOR and online entry is now available under 'For Competitors' on the official website. Entries close at 1700 hours on October 25.

As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations, the CYCA will host a range of events in Sydney and Hobart throughout the year, with more details to be released soon.

For more information visit www.rolexsydneyhobart.com

Related Articles

New Caledonian duo set sights on RSHYR
Two French sailors based in New Caledonia will take on the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race When Yann Rigal and Michel Quintin began sailing Double Handed in 2020, Rigal had his doubts. "When Michel called me and said, 'Are you in?' I was like, 'Wow, that's crazy but yes, let's go'," Rigal laughed. Posted on 11 Jun
Teams poised to settle unfinished business
80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race preparations are well underway While the start of the 80th anniversary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is still some time away, preparations are already well under way at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA). Posted on 14 Mar
80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race entries open
A fleet of over 120 yachts expected to compete in the milestone event The 80th anniversary of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is expected to attract huge interest from sailors from Australia and around the globe, all eager to participate in the milestone event. Posted on 12 Mar
80th Rolex Sydney Hobart entries to open soon
Promising to be a spectacular edition of the race The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is thrilled to announce that entries for the milestone 80th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will open in the coming weeks. Posted on 14 Feb
RSHYR 2024 | 50 feet and below start videos
Start videos from the third and fourth lines Start videos from the third and fourth lines Posted on 8 Jan
RSHYR 2024 | Maxi and mini maxi start videos
Start videos from up in the chopper on Boxing Day, where the airspace is as busy as the Harbour Start videos from up in the chopper on Boxing Day for the annual Sydney Hobart race, where the airspace can get nearly as congested as Sydney Harbour itself... Posted on 7 Jan
2024 RSHYR: Fika wins PHS Double Handed
Annette and Sophie crossed the RSHYR finish line late last evening on Fika Mother and daughter, Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders, crossed the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race finish line late last evening on Fika, the only one of the three female double handed crews to finish the tough 628 nautical mile race. Posted on 1 Jan
2024 RSHYR - Resilience in adversity
Competing crews confronted myriad challenges and a range of weather conditions The official prize-giving for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race offered a poignant conclusion to an edition marked by tragedy and defined by resilience. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
RSHYR - Mountaineering skills come to the rescue
A crew member with mountaineering skills came to the rescue of Tasmanian boat A crew member with mountaineering skills came to the rescue of Tasmanian boat Tilting at Windmills as it approached the finish line of the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Monday. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
2024 RSHYR: No more dehydrated food
Kings Pier overflowed with spectators on Monday Kings Pier overflowed with spectators on Monday, all vying to get a prime view of the latest finishers in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and among the arrivals was Double Handed entry Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterBarton Marine Pipe GlandsMaritimo S Series