76th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race update

After a year's enforced hiatus, the start of the 76th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was a welcome and spectacular sight.

The building southerly breeze propelled the 88-strong fleet out of Sydney Harbour at the beginning of the 628-nautical mile journey south to Hobart, Tasmania.

The 30.5 metre (100 foot) SHK Scallywag 100 led out of the Heads, before being overtaken by LawConnect in the contest for Line Honours. The wind and sea state are forecast to build over the next 24 hours, and a tough ride is anticipated to be in store for all competitors.

First held in 1945, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is a legendary contest. Rolex has partnered the event, organized by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in conjunction with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, since 2002 and the annual race is at the very core of the Swiss Watchmaker's six-decade-long association with the sport of yachting.

SHK Scallywag 100 was the first yacht to exit the heads at the entrance to Sydney Harbour - photo © Rolex / Andrea Francolini

The weather forecast for the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race suggested a potentially punishing first 24 hours - photo © Rolex / Andrea Francolini