Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023 - Revered, relentless, rewarding

by Quinag 21 Nov 2023 21:51 UTC 26 December 2023
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race © Quinag

For close to 80 years, the international sailing calendar has been brought to a spectacular finale with one of the most legendary contests in the sport.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has acquired a reputation that has long transcended yachting's traditional frontiers. The race and its organizer, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), have been supported by Rolex since 2002, and are cornerstones of the brand's long-standing relationship with the sport.

There is a natural affinity between Rolex and epic yacht races such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, where charting a successful course requires an unwavering commitment, a wealth of experience and sharp intuition. One of the toughest tests of sailing ability, the race sits alongside the equally venerated Rolex Fastnet Race as a pillar of Rolex's privileged partnership with yachting.

Tom Slingsby, a Rolex Testimonee, decorated athlete and one of Australia's finest sailors, is well positioned to offer a perspective on the appeal of the "great race south". The six-time participant and line honours winner in 2016 says:

"Within offshore sailing, everyone wants to be able to say they have done the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. It is one of the world's great challenges that attracts sailors from around the globe and all backgrounds. Whether you are trying to win or just complete the course, we are all drawn by a passion for the sea and the enormity of the task."

This year's race begins, as always, on 26 December, and is expected to welcome a highly competitive fleet of over 110 yachts, including several international entries. The crews will be seeking to emulate the achievements of some 60,000 sailors and 7,500 yachts who have embraced the challenge since the event's creation in 1945.

Aside from its distinct slot in the global sporting schedule, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is noted for drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to watch the start of the race from the shoreline or on the water, in addition to those following live broadcasts. This breathtaking moment on Sydney Harbour is must-see viewing throughout Australia, and with fans around the world.

The 628-nautical mile (1,163 kilometre) course has several key features, most notably the crossing of the easternmost edge of the exposed Bass Strait, a notorious expanse of water. Conditions can be extremely changeable. In the same race, competitors are often exposed to punishing and violent waves, and then periods when the sea is calm as the wind fades. The final, often arduous, stretch up the Derwent River into Hobart can be among the most demanding as crews summon the last of their physical and mental resources. Once over the finish line, a warm welcome is guaranteed through the collaboration and support of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.

For the front-running yachts competing for line honours and the public acclaim that greets the first finisher, the course typically takes two days to complete. Over the decades, owners of the world's fastest monohull yachts have made it their objective to succeed at the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. A steely focus is required to prevail in the face of spirited and similarly determined opposition. The race record, set in 2017, sits at 33 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.

Rolex is proud to be associated with a race that demands precision, dedication and the highest level of performance from the athletes and their boats, as well as one whose organizer plays a key role in ensuring the future of the sport. Like so many of the great offshore races, the Rolex Sydney Hobart was conceived by intrepid Corinthian sailors. Over time its reputation has grown, enticing sailors of all backgrounds and ambition. Yachts range in size from 30 feet (9 metres) to 100 feet (30.5 metres), and whether crew members are amateur or professional, completing the race is a significant milestone.

Arthur Lane, Commodore of the CYCA, reflects on what competing in the race means: "The common denominator at the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is a deep enthusiasm for the sport of sailing and a willingness to test oneself against one's peers and the elements. The race has an enduring appeal and continues to inspire younger generations. The close support of Rolex throughout the past 21 years has been a significant factor in its continued evolution."

Tom Slingsby, likewise, appreciates the scale of the event: "I have a lot of respect for anyone who races offshore. It is tough when you hit bad weather and you are going up wind in 30 knots of breeze and big waves, day in, day out, particularly on a smaller boat. It is really tough, both mentally and physically, and for me these big ocean races are the ultimate challenge in yacht racing."

Just as Rolex stands for precision and high-level performance in everything it does, offshore racing sailors must summon the same qualities if they are to complete the exacting course. For the overall winner on corrected time, the iconic Tattersall Cup and a specially engraved Rolex Yacht-Master watch await, along with a place in sailing legend.

Related Articles

Art Explora Festival Piraeus stopover programme
The museum boat will sail to Greece for the very first time Featuring headliners Adonis Foniadakis, Lenio Kaklea, Sofia Mavragani, Manolis Pappos, Panos Charalambous and Kyriakos Kalaitzidis & En Chordais. Posted on 15 Sep
Step onboard with Ancasta in Southampton
The Southampton Boat Show opens on Friday Join Ancasta at the Southampton International Boat Show from (19 - 28 September) for an unforgettable experience exploring some of the most exciting yachts on the water today. Posted on 15 Sep
Recycled. Reborn. Ready for Adventure.
Henri-Lloyd transforming marine waste into purpose-built performance Crafted from NetPlus ripstop with midweight Repreve insulation that delivers incredible warm. Built for coastal weather, shifting winds, and the rhythm of the sea. Transforming marine waste into purpose-built performance. Posted on 14 Sep
Breaking Barriers in a Melting Arctic
First British Woman Solos Northwest Passage British sailor Ella Hibber, 28, has arrived in Nome, Alaska, becoming the first British woman to sail solo through the fabled Northwest Passage. Posted on 14 Sep
Boat Buying Basics
Melanie earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before her car license Melanie Sunshine Neale earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before she got her driver's license. She grew up living aboard her family's 47-foot GulfStar sailboat, cruising up and down the East Coast and the Bahamas for 20 years. Posted on 13 Sep
Sailing roles available in Dubai
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club is recruiting! Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC), one of the Middle East's most established and internationally recognised Sailing Clubs, is inviting applications for the role of Racing and Events Manager, and RYA Cruising Instructor. Posted on 13 Sep
2026 Cruising Almanac launched
The indispensable companion for sailors cruising Northwest European waters The Cruising Association (CA), in partnership with Imray, is proud to announce the release of the 2026 edition of its renowned Cruising Almanac - the indispensable companion for sailors cruising Northwest European waters. Posted on 13 Sep
Aquila expands into sailing catamarans
Leaning into sailing roots to deliver new sailing catamarans with hybrid propulsion Aquila, the premier manufacturer of power catamarans, has announced its expansion into the sailing catamaran market with the introduction of three new models: the Aquila 44ES, 50ES, and 63ES sailing catamarans. Posted on 13 Sep
The RYA 150 Podcast launched
150 years. 12 Episodes. One remarkable community. As part of its 150th Anniversary celebrations, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is launching a brand-new 12-part podcast series with the first episode live on Tuesday 23 September. Posted on 11 Sep
Superyacht Safety Comes Into Focus
As Monitoring Tech Booms The weather is changing, and it's not just a sailor's hunch. Storms are forming faster and are more destructive. Onboard sailing superyachts, captains and crews are facing new challenges in predicting risk, and the message is clear. Posted on 10 Sep
Crewsaver 2021 Safetyline FOOTERSunstorm Marine - Halyard BagsOcean Safety 2023 - New Identity - FOOTER