The toughest test
The 76th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race saw 88 boats set off on Boxing Day, with both professional and amateur crews competing in this iconic 628nm offshore. A highlight in the southern hemisphere, the annual race is organised by the Cruising Yacht
Club of Australia, with the support of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and in partnership with Rolex.
This year brought challenges aplenty thanks to southerly winds causing rough conditions for racing that was described afterwards by many as the toughest in recent years. What looked like glamour conditions for the start in Sydney Harbour soon built to 30 knots and beyond as the fleet headed south towards Tasmania. By the time the second day had dawned 24 boats had retired, and gear failure then continued to take its toll among the fleet for the rest of the race, even as winds eventually eased.
At the head of the fleet, the competition for line honours was always going to be hot, contested by three 100ft supermaxis. A strong start for SKH Scallywag - skippered by Volvo Ocean Race legend and 20-time Sydney-Hobart sailor, David Witt - saw them forge ahead in the early stages, but a series of unfortunate breakages saw the team relinquish the lead just after passing the Sydney Heads, allowing rival Christian Beck’s LawConnect
