2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart memories to last a lifetime

(From left to right) David Wise - Director Hydrowood, John Fitzgerald - CEO Tourism Tasmania, and Andrew Morgan - Director Hydrowood with the commemorative mementos that will be provided to all competitors in the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race © CYCA

All 1800 competitors in the historic 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will be honoured with a commemorative memento on their arrival to Constitution Dock, Hobart from Tourism Tasmania.

The keepsake mirrors the sails of the yachts and is crafted from Tasmanian celery top pine, particularly unique as it has been recovered from deep under the waters of Lake Pieman. The wood is kindly donated by Hydrowood, and the custom keepsake designed by local artist Michael Travalia.

The memento provides Rolex Sydney Hobart competitors, taking part in the 75th Sydney Hobart, with a warm Tassie welcome - an official keepsake that acts as a reminder of their race experience, the history of the event, and their time in Hobart and Tasmania.

The souvenir forms part of an overarching partnership the Tasmanian Government, through Tourism Tasmania and Events Tasmania, has formed with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and its flagship event, the Rolex Sydney Hobart.

"We are thrilled our partnership with the Tasmanian Government and Tourism Tasmania is enduring and are very thankful for their ongoing support for the event," CYCA Commodore Paul Billingham says.

John Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Tasmania, said the partnership provides an opportunity for competitors to take home a memory to last a lifetime.

"Hobart is known as giving the warmest greetings to finishing yachts. No matter the time of day or night that yachts arrive, there is a crowd gathered on the waterfront to help them celebrate their heroic achievement.

"Tourism Tasmania want participants to feel welcomed, and rewarded for their efforts and participation in one of the world's most iconic races and to take a little bit of Tasmania home with them as a reminder of their race experience and time in Hobart and Tasmania."

The partnership between the CYCA and the Tasmanian Government will also provide fans from across Australia and around the world with a significant 'win'. The end of the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart will be broadcast to the world, with live telecasts of both the line-honours finish and the overall battle distributed through the official race Facebook page, website and provided to media.