A resplendent and animated Sydney Harbour, sunshine, blue skies and building 18-24 knot northeasterly winds heralded a perfect start to the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
As the early exchanges unfolded, the 104-strong fleet offered close competition and a colourful spectacle as the ‘Great Race South’ commenced.
First to exit Sydney Heads and enter into open water shortly after the 13:00 start were two of the 100-ft (30.48m) maxis: LawConnect, first home in 2023, followed by Master Lock Comanche, current race record holder.
An intriguing contest at the front of the fleet is in store, with the Master Lock Comanche crew eager to avenge missing out on line honours by 51 seconds last year.
Following this morning’s final weather briefing, earlier optimism about the frontrunners surpassing the race record of 1 day, 9 hours and 15 minutes had waned a little.
SMUGGLER, Sail n: 6952, OWNER/SKIPPER: Sebastian Bohm, STATE: NSW, DESIGN: TP52, LOA: 52, “15, 9”, CLASS: IRC, YEAR BUILT: 2006
By 18:00 local time, Master Lock Comanche had built a nine-nautical mile lead over LawConnect as the leaders sped down the New South Wales coast.
The first 24 hours promise to bring fast boat speeds with the likelihood of strong to gale force winds and thunderstorms. Two-time race winner and defending champion, Alive was confirmed as the first retirement shortly after 16:00.
The race’s most coveted prize is the famous Tattersall Cup, awarded to the overall winner on corrected time.
This year’s fleet includes six former winners and 23 double handed entrants. Six overseas yachts made the considerable trip to Australia to take their place on the start line. Giacomo, of New Zealand, in 2016, remains the last non-Australian entrant to win the Rolex Sydney Hobart. The predominantly Corinthian fleet includes a number of legends of the race such as three-time winner Love & War.
MASTER LOCK COMANCHE, Sail n: CAY007, OWNER/SKIPPER: Matt Allen & James Mayo, STATE: NSW, DESIGN: VPLP Verdier 100, LOA: 100, “30, 5”, CLASS: IRC, YEAR BUILT: 2014
At 9.3m, Kismet is the smallest entrant in the fleet and the second oldest behind the 1904 launch Maritimo Katwinchar.
This year marks the 79th edition of this momentous contest founded in 1945. Rolex has partnered the race and its organizers, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) since 2002. The CYCA are supported in their efforts by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT).
