At 1pm AEDT on Boxing Day, as lunch is taken at the MCG, the gun will fire to signal the start of the 72nd Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Join The Roar for live updates from the race.
This year 93 yachts have registered for the 628 nautical mile blue water classic. First run in 1945 as a race for friends down the east coast to Hobart, this annual event is now regarded as one of ocean racing’s premier events, alongside races like the Fastnet.
Every year the race attracts sailors and crews from all over the world, and this year is no exception with 12 international crews taking part from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, Sweden, the UK and Germany.
To most casual viewers the event is just for rich boys with their expensive toys and rock star crew. While that may be true for the super maxis at the front of the fleet, the fact is the majority of competitors are everyday men and women who indulge their passion for sailing by crewing on yachts going south for the “Quiet Little Drink”.
Once again the race commences with a staggered start just off Nielson Park in Sydney Harbour, utilising 2 separate start lines, 0.2 nautical miles apart. The staggered start allows the larger, fastest yachts (60 to 100 feet in length) a clear run to the heads, unimpeded by the smaller, slower yachts. Each start line has its own distinct rounding buoy near the heads to even out the total distance travelled, just like the stagger on the running track.
Two major trophies will be up for grabs – The John Illingworth Trophy for the line honours winner and the Tattersall’s Cup for the overall winner on handicap or, in sailing parlance, corrected time. For obvious reasons the majority of media and public interest will be on the race for line honours between the big boats, but what most sailors want to win, and the more prestigious of the two, is the Tattersall’s Cup.
The winner of this is likely to come from the smaller boats in the fleet. The handicapping system, the sailing equivalent of cricket’s Duckworth-Lewis Rule, is a complex equation taking into account the length, sail area, the age of a yacht’s design, and other technical factors to, in theory anyway, give all contestants a chance of winning overall.
So which are the boats to look out for? Last year the honours went to the American supermaxi Comanche, with Wild Oats XI being forced to retire with a busted mainsail. Comanche has not returned to defend her title, which leaves the door open for Wild Oats XI, however I see her being challenged by a previous winner, the highly modified, and re-engineered CQS, which won in 2004 as Nicorette. Perpetual Loyal has also returned for another shot at the title.
The long range forecast that was released earlier in the week, and had some of the media talking about a record breaking race, with similar conditions to last year.
The race is forecast to start in a 15 knot nor’-easter, building to 25 knots off shore. This should lead to a spectacular start up the harbour, followed by a spinnaker set as the yachts turn south out of the heads, and a flying run down the coast for the first few hours.
However, between 6 and 11pm AEDT on Boxing Day, a moderate southerly of 20-30 knots wind strength will hit the front of the fleet, slowing their rush to Hobart.
These southerlies are expected to last until well into the next day, before they swing around to the north again for the final push into Constitution Dock. The timing of that northerly change will determine whether or not the race record can be broken.
It is hard to say how well CQS will go, as she has only been on the water since November, I would fully expect her to give Wild Oats XI a run for her money, but will she be fast enough? I think Wild Oats XI will regain her crown.
However in ocean racing all does not always go to plan, as nature may often has a say in the result. Adverse conditions can lead to equipment failure, sail, rigging or even hull damage, while an errant sunfish, whale or submerged shipping container can rip the keel of a yacht. If any misfortune strikes the favourites, it may open the door for Scallywag, Loyal or one of the Volvo 70s, Giacomo, Black Jack or Maserati.
In terms of the overall win, the forecast southerly and light winds across Bass Strait brings the 50-60 footers back into contention for the Tattersall’s Cup. The Tp52s, including last years overall winner Balance would have to be the top contenders. The longer the southerly lasts, the better it will be for a Tp52 to take the honours.
However, if it is shorter than expected, it brings my pick Patrice into contention. Patrice can just about hold on to the Tp52s down wind and broad reaching, but loses ground into the wind. However her handicap advantage is a large one, and if she can stay close, she may just pip the more favoured yachts for the Tattersall’s Cup.
Apart from those in contention for the silverware, there are a few other yachts to keep an eye on. Three time overall winner Love and War, is making another run south this year, and for those who like sailing in style, the CNB 76 luxury cruiser Charlotte, will be conveying her crew in style to Hobart.
Follow the race via The Roar blog, from start to finish.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
It is now official. Giacomo declared winner on handicap. Thanks to all who followed this years blog, due to work and family commitments it is very likely the last one that I will be able to conduct for a while.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 21 hours 50 mins Ichi Ban's attempt for handicap honours is over, Balance and UBOX barring a miracle cannoy make it either. Obviously we will have to wait for the official announcement, probably at some stage late this afternoon or tomorrow morning, but I am going to say that Giacomo has won the Tattersalls Cup, the overall winner of the 2016 Rolex Sydney to Hobart. Congratulations to Jim Delegat, who had his 2 sons with him as part of the crew.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 20 hours 30 mins Giacomo still holds the lead on handicap. It appears that Ichi Ban, Alive and Varuna VI have all fallen into a wind shadow created by by the 400m peak of Cape Raoul. Balance and UBOX have obviously taken note of that and are heading further south to try and skirt the area, hoping for better breeze across Storm Bay. Whilst these 2 still have a mathematical chance, Balance need to finish by 11.46 am and UBOX by 12.09pm today. It is increasingly more certain that Giacomo is going to win the Tattersalls Cup.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 20 hours Giacomo is back on top for handicap honours. The other contenders are going to struggle across Storm Bay and up the Derwent. There is always a chance that some of the smaller vessels to the rear of the fleet may have favourable conditions for the rest of the day, however the long range forecast isn't too optimistic, with light flukey conditions forecast for late tonight, early tomorrow, when they need them least.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 19 hours 30 mins 3 yachts have finished with the next 3 Beau Geste, Black Jack and Maserati, limping up the Derwent in very light conditions. The race for handicap is very interesting, I would suggest that the superb effort by Giacomo to hang on to the tail of Loyal, will deliver her the overall title. Her main contenders appear to be Ichi Ban, Balance, and UBOX. However the winds in Storm Bay and up the Derwent are very light, and unless they pick up as the morning progresses, these 3 will be unable to match Giacomo's corrected time. Ichi Ban is only 26nm from the finish, but making less than 3 knots, she needs to cross the line by 11.54am this morning to overtake Giacomo, it will be an interesting few hours. The other 2 are making good time, but have yet to cross Storm Bay. If they hit light winds as Ichi Ban has, they are too far back. I'm not prepared to call it yet, but Giacomo is in the box seat. On another note, Anthony Bell has decided that this will be his last Hobart, and is putting Loyal up for sale....editors, how about we crowd fund a campaign to have our our entry next year? :-D
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T Plus 1 day 16 hours 20 mins The race for line honours is over! At a little after 2.30am this morning, Anthony Bell on Perpetual Loyal crossed the line at Constitution Dock in Hobart to claim the John Illingworth Trophy. They also smashed the race record by nearly 5 hours finishing in 1 day 13 hours 31 minutes and 20 seconds, an average speed of 16.7 knots. Giacomo finished second, nearly 2 hours behind, an extraordinary feat for a 70 footer. Scallywag has finished 3rd. Beau Geste, Maserati and Black Jack are all locked in a battle for 4th, just 2-2.5nm from the finish. Ichi Ban leads on handicap from Giacomo. There will be a more detailed analysis of the handicap position in a couple of hours, but at this stage there are a number of yachts that could take it out, and realistically we will know by early this afternoon, who should win it.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 9 hours Final report for the day Loyal is maintaining, indeed slightly increasing her lead. Barring a major gear failure, the John Illingworth Trophy for line honours is hers, along with the race record. Her expected finish time is somewhere after 2am tomorrow morning. Handicap honours are still too early to get a good handle on, we will know more in the morning. Ichi Ban still leads, but I suspect the race will be won and lost tonight in Storm Bay. Winds are easing tomorrow, if Giacomo or Ichi Ban get in overnight, the chasers UBOX, Victoire and Balance may struggle to meet the deadline.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 8 hours The race for line honours appears to have settled down with Loyal maintaining a lead of 14-15nm over the past 2 hours ahead of Giacomo. Only the first 2 yachts are ahead of race record pace now. Barring a major mishap, Loyal has this under control. As expected the handicap race is down to the 50 footers, with 4 of them in the top 5. Ichi Ban leads from Giacomo (Volvo 70), UBOX, Victoire and defending champion Balance fill the other spots.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 6 hours Loyal still holds the lead, but Giacomo and Scallywag are both closing. Giacomo is now only 14.3nm behind and getting better boat speed. Scallywag trails Giacomo by a further 14nm. It may be too little too late, but there is a chance we could get a tactical dual across Storm Bay. Giacomo still leads on handicap, with Ichi Ban now in second.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 4 hours Loyal continues to lead for line honours, but Giacomo is closing the gap, its down to 16.3nm from 19.6nm since my last report. Can she do enough to catch Loyal.....unlikely at this stage. However if the wind gets inconsistent and flukey across Storm Bay, we could have an interesting finish. Maserati still holds down 3rd, but now by less than 1nm from Scallywag, followed by Beau Geste. In the handicap race, Giacomo still leads, but the 50-60 footers still in Bass Strait such as Ichi Ban, Varuna VI and UBOX, are enjoying favourable conditions and eating in to her lead. Next report may not be for a few hours, unless anything drastic occurs.......unfortunately life, or in my case work, must go on?
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 2 hours Normal service has been resumed. Giacomo has dropped into the same wind system that Loyal did 50 mins ago or so, she has slowed, and Loyal continues to power towards Tasman Island.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 1 hour 40 mins As forecast the winds are lightening off the Tasmanian coast. Loyal's speed has dropped over the past 20 mins from around the 20 knot mark to 16 knots at the last position report. Giacomo too is slowing however, she now has a 2-3 knot speed advantage and has closed the gap by 1.6nm in the last 30 minutes. Giacomo is further out to sea so is probably benefiting from a stronger breeze. Something to keep an eye on however. Maserati holds on to 3rd, 3nm ahead of Scallywag and a further 4.5nm ahead of Beau Geste. These last three have all made up time in the last half hour, but are sitting in stronger winds. It is still Loyal's to lose at this stage. Handicap honours remains unchanged.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 1 day 30 mins No change at the front of the field in terms of line or handicap honours, although Scallywag is making a late charge, but is too far behind to catch Loyal unless something goes wrong. If the wind holds steady into the night, there is a chance that Loyal will finish late tonight.
Len Bexcen
Guest
Thanks Mark.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 23 hours Loyal continues to lead from Giacomo, Maserati, Beau Geste, and now Scallywag which has passed Black Jack to take 5th. In terms of handicap Giacomo continues to lead, from Maserati, Ichi Ban, Varuna VI and Loyal.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Hi Skip Pleased to hear you're enjoying the blog. Great to hear that you got to go aboard a real race boat! Some owners/skippers prefer the tiller that you saw on Ichi Ban in comparison to a wheel, as it gives the helmsman a more direct feel of how the yacht is performing. Having a wheel also adds an extra layer of technology that can go wrong. Having said that once a boat gets to 40-50 foot long (Ichi Ban is 52 feet), they usually have a wheel, but it's a personal preference. On a boat with a wheel, if you look at the deck directly above the rudder, you will see a socket where a tiller can be fitted in case of steerage failure. Using a tiller is certainly more taxing physically than using the wheel!
Skip
Guest
Hey Mark, Thanks for the blog. It's hard to find upto date information. I am not a sailor and know little about boats. I had the pleasure to go aboard Ichi Ban pre race yesterday. I have always thought sailors mad. The boys on Ichi Ban take the cake. That thing looks like a hi tech Wind Surfer, they are seriously insane. It didn't even have a wheel or cockpit??? It had an arm to the rudder like a hobby cat you would rent for your kids on a calm inlet some where.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 21 hours 20 mins Loyal continues to lead the race for line honours with Giacomo second 17 nm behind. Winds are forecast to be favourable for the rest of the day at 15-20 knots out of the east, dropping to 10-15 knots later this afternoon. At the moment, barring any further mishaps it is Loyal's race to lose. All the lead yachts are reaching at around 20knots. The top 5 are 1. Loyal, 2. Giacomo, 3. Maserati, 4. Beau Geste, 5. Black Jack In the race for handicap honours, Giacomo leads from Loyal followed by Ichi Ban, Maserati and UBOX. As usual, we will not get a clear picture on the handicap race until the bulk of the fleet gets into Bass Strait later today. Confirmation from race headquarters that Wild Oats is safe, keel centred and heading to Eden.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Two years in a row. Wow.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
T plus 20 hours 25 minutes Sensational news....Wild Oats is OUT! I have been watching her speed decrease over the past few minutes, it has just been confirmed that they have retired with hydraulic issues with the canting keel. Loyal now leads, with the race record at her mercy. I may be the kiss of death, both my picks for line and handicap honours have now retired.