Virtual Rolex Sydney Hobart victors
by Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 3 Jan 2021 22:00 PST
2020 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race © Virtual Regatta
The 2020 online Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race conducted by Virtual Regatta was one for the record book.
This year's race saw nearly 166,000 competitors register and take part in the 628-nautical-mile race which marks the largest fleet and most successful virtual Rolex Sydney Hobart to date.
For some, a virtual race may be seen as a simple undertaking. It however takes a dedicated entrant to work through navigation, strategy and planning to make sure all weather variables are taken in to account with constant monitoring throughout the day and night.
The Individual Race was won by Taberly-TPN, a racer belonging to the eminent TPN team from France. A very close second place went to Boxing Kangaroos' Gareth West from Perth, WA in his boat BigBalls.
The Boxing Kangaroos won the Teams event in the virtual Rolex Sydney Hobart in a tightly fought race. The Boxing Kangaroos are an international team of virtual yacht racers made up of both pro sailors and amateurs. The winning team is decided by the position of the top ten members competing.
This year with the physical race being cancelled it now gave some of the competitors who had entered for the on-water race to take part. Stuart de Poi from Adelaide, who was to be onboard the Reichel Pugh 46 Hartbreaker for the 2020 race, was the top placed competitor finishing 97th and claiming his prize of official Rolex Sydney Hobart merchandise worth over $460.
The online race draws great participation from CYCA Members with Adam Burt from Sydney's Blue Mountains placing 33rd and claiming his prize of official Rolex Sydney Hobart merchandise worth over $260 as the first Club Member to cross the finish line.
We would like to congratulate the winners but also all who took part in this year's virtual race.