The annual Australian pastime of switching from the cricket to the Sydney to Hobart yacht race will continue on Boxing Day, with over 100 yachts set to make the over 600-mile trek south. This is The Roar‘s guide to streaming the race online and watching it on TV.
Like previous years, the race will begin at 1pm (AEDT) in Sydney Harbour on Tuesday, December 26.
The race, which has been running since 1945 is one of the biggest sailing races in the world and attracts boats of all sizes.
The defending champion, Perpetual Loyal is now known as Infotrack after being sold during the year and will line up alongside other former winners including Commanche and Wild Oats XI, with the yacht skippered by Mark Richards winning line honours eight times.
While line honours – the first boat over the finish line in Hobart – draws the most media attention – the battle between what are normally smaller yachts for the handicap victory is also one to watch. The defending champions of the Tattersalls Cup are Giacomo.
Because the Sydney-Hobart yacht race is so long, being raced on the open ocean, overnight and into the next day, it’s impossible to cover the whole race on TV.
Channel Seven hold the rights to the race and will cover approximately the first hour of the event on their main channel.
The coverage will go live on Boxing Day from 12:30pm (AEDT), allowing for a half-hour build up, then broadcast the yachts leaving Sydney Harbour, through the heads and the first part of the trek away from the coast.
Their coverage is due to end at 2pm (AEDT).
To watch in high-definition, you’ll need to tune into Channel 70, or in standard, 71.
The first hour of the race can be streamed on Seven’s streaming applications.
To watch online through either desktop or laptop, you will need to use the 7 Live website. To watch on mobile or tablet, you will need to download their mobile application in the same name from either the apple or google play store depending on your device.
Once the first hour of the race is over, you can follow the race online through the official race tracker on the Sydney-Hobart website.
The Roar will also be covering the race with a live blog. This will incorporate hourly updates throughout the course of the race to Hobart.
Gary Negus
Guest
This is Australia!!! We have World class NBN, just not sure what Workd they are refering too!!!
John
Guest
Great coverage of the start of the Sydney to Hobart...though the commentary left a lot to be desired. BUT .. what about the FINISH...the ALL IMPORTANT FINISH. with only a few nautical miles to go.. no indication that 7 will show that live. Once again commercial television lets the viewing public in the lurch. They buy the rights and just show what they want.. stuff the public..
Josh
Expert
Hey John, now that the TV coverage is over, the online race tracker is your best bet - http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/tracker/
john e halcrow
Guest
Iwould have liked to have watched the start of the yacht race on my computer you obviously know this by your instructions resulting from my using the keyboard however to use my computer to watch is just unachievable and I suppose to achieve any result if any from sending this to you I will need to go to my emails throughout the afternoon and see how you have responded to my message come on this is the 21 st century Thank you. John.