Fans in Germany will have to get up early if they want to see the start of the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Race live. The 129 registered yachts, including Jost Stollmann's "Alithia" 16 international starters and 113 Australian challengers will be sent into the Christmas classic from Sydney over 628 nautical miles to Hobart on Tasmania at 1 pm local time.
This is the starting signal to one of the most famous long distances in the sailing world at 3 a.m. German time. The live broadcast starts half an hour earlier at 2.30 am here. After the start it goes here to the tracker and the intermediate results.
Rolex Sydney Hobart Race: crisp start to the classic
The experts from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have now specified what the sailors can expect at the 80th edition of the Christmas classic: strong southerly winds and high seas are expected to characterise the early stages of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and make for a challenging first night at sea. Crews are therefore warned to prepare for a rather abrupt transition from sailing in Sydney Harbour to full offshore conditions immediately afterwards.
BOM meteorologist Edward Townsend-Medlock outlined a forecast dominated by a slow-moving area of high pressure over Tasmania. While the system will provide stable weather overall, its position could give the fleet a scenario in the early stages of the race that brings strong southerly winds and a long swell that rolls right along the New South Wales coast.
At the starting gun, conditions in Sydney Harbour are expected to be relatively orderly but already lively. Meteorologists recently expected southerly winds of 15 to 20 knots to blow through the 2000 Olympic harbour - enough to keep the crews alert at the lively spinnaker start. However, Edward Townsend-Medlock warned that the real challenge of the 628 nautical mile Christmas race begins the moment the yachts pass Sydney Heads.
Meteorological warning: "significant wave height"
As soon as they reach open waters, the southerly wind could increase to an expected 20 to 25 knots, with even stronger gusts possible. The wind is expected to be accompanied by a significant south to south-easterly swell of around two to three metres. While the official forecast refers to the "significant wave height", sailors were also reminded at the briefing that individual waves could reach almost twice that height within 24 hours.
"The combination of strengthening winds and a mature swell from the south means it could get pretty dicey pretty quickly when the boats leave the Heads," Townsend-Medlock warned. He also pointed out that dangerous surf warnings are likely to be issued for the New South Wales coast on race day.
The fleet will also set sail at high tide, which peaks shortly after the start. According to experts, this will reduce the turbulence at the heads associated with outgoing water, but will hardly minimise the effects of the waves rolling in from the sea.
Rolex Sydney Hobart Race: first pressure, then relief
The good news for active travellers and fans: With some clouds and only a small chance of showers in the late afternoon, the weather is expected to be good overall. Steady conditions are forecast along the New South Wales coast for the first afternoon and evening. Strong south to south-westerly winds of 20 to 25 knots are expected to reach well beyond Sydney, giving crews a physically demanding start.
There is nothing extreme in terms of storm systems. But it will be sailed in very fresh to strong conditions at the start. Crews should be prepared for that." Edward Townsend-Medlock
Relief is expected as the fleet heads further south on Saturday morning. As an area of high pressure drifts eastwards, the wind strength is forecast to weaken to around 10 to 20 knots, still from the south to south-west, but significantly weaker than at the start. The expected decrease in wind is likely to reduce the overall wave height to around one to two metres.
The defending champions are at the start
For navigators and skippers, the forecast emphasises the importance of early decision making. A fast, clean start from Sydney Heads will be important. So will a prudent approach to avoid early damage or fatigue. It is clear that the crews will be directly confronted with important decisions in this 80th edition. Which is why Edward Townsend-Medlock said: "Enjoy the race - but be ready."
Both defending champions are back in the race: The 100-foot bullet "LawConnect" is defending the Line Honours and the J. H. Illingworth Cup it won last year, while the V70 "Celestial" is defending its overall victory from 2024 and the Tattersall Cup. The race record is held by the "LDV Comanche" sent into the race by Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant in 2017 with 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.
