Watch the Rolex Sydney Hobart in Google Earth, with yacht positions and standings updated every ten minutes.  Now sea surface temperatures and current information may also be viewed.
 
Google Earth is a 3D interface to the planet.  It combines satellite imagery with a model that can be zoomed, spun and tilted.
 
To view the race in Google Earth all you need to do is download and install Google Earth from http://earth.google.com/, then download and open the feed file from this site.  See below.

This will install a network connection to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race site and will show yachts from just before the race start at 1:00 PM AEST on 26 December.

To view an overlay provided by CSIRO showing sea surface temperature and current directions follow the directions below.

The Google Earth feed is for private, non-commercial use only.

Getting it working

1. Download and install Google Earth
2. Open the race feed file: cyca_rshyr_yachtrace.kml 
3. To add the CSIRO overlay use this link: CSIRO

Until the race starts at 1:00 PM AEST on 26 December you will only see the start line, finish line and the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will I need to manually update the information?
A: No.  Whenever you are connected to the internet the kml file auotmatically updates the position information and the data contained in the fly-out panel for each boat.

Q: How do I view information about each boat?
A: Roll your mouse over the boat until a yellow square appears, then click to open a fly-out panel containing some notes about the boat, the information that appears in the instrument display in the map-based Yacht Tracker, the current standing of the boat in Line Honours and its Handicap Categories and a pictorial representation of the course of the boat relative to North.

Q: Can I view earlier times in the race and replay the race?
A: The feed is of real time data only.  After the race finishes it will be possible to return to the site a re-run the race in Google Earth.

Q: What does the red line represent?
A: The red line is known as the "rhumb line".  It is the shortest course from the start in Sydney Harbour to the finish in Hobart.