Sydney to Hobart Race Braced for Tough Start but Safer Seas Ahead
As the iconic Sydney to Hobart yacht race prepares to get underway again on Boxing Day, there’s a very different mood around the docks this year. The race briefing opened with a minute’s silence, a quiet and emotional reminder of the two sailors, Nick Smith and Roy Quaden, who tragically lost their lives during last year’s event. Those deaths, the first in the race since 1998, have understandably cast a long shadow, but there is cautious optimism that the extreme conditions seen in 2024 will not be repeated.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, sailors should expect a challenging but manageable start. Strong southerly winds of up to 25 knots are forecast as the fleet of 129 yachts clears Sydney Heads on Boxing Day. It’s expected to be cold, wet, and bumpy, especially during the first night, and seasickness will likely be part of the experience for many on board. However, those winds are predicted to ease over the following days as a high-pressure system settles near Tasmania, bringing more stable conditions along the New South Wales and Tasmanian coasts.
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This forecast is being seen as a marked contrast to last year, when violent storms and boat-breaking seas hit the fleet early and with devastating consequences. While sailors have still been warned that strong winds and showers remain possible, the overall outlook is far less treacherous. The hope is that this year’s race will test skill and endurance, rather than survival.
Safety has been a major focus in the lead-up to this edition. In response to last year’s tragedy, changes have been made to protocols, including mandatory personal locator beacons for all crew members and stricter experience requirements for teams. Race officials have stressed that the lessons learned have been taken seriously, and that sailor welfare will remain front of mind throughout the journey south.
From a competitive standpoint, the conditions are also expected to shape the outcome. The famous race record, set in 2017, is unlikely to be threatened without strong downwind sailing, which isn’t on the forecast. Instead, upwind and mixed conditions could create a tighter contest among the leading yachts, potentially leveling the playing field.
As the fleet prepares to set sail, there’s a sense of respect, reflection, and resilience in the air. The Sydney to Hobart remains one of the toughest and most revered offshore races in the world, and this year, it begins with a shared hope: a hard race, yes, but a safe one.
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