Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Breaking News

Rolex extends naming rights sponsorship of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race to 2015

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:30:00 +1000

At the Annual General Meeting of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, outgoing Commodore Matt Allen announced that Rolex SA will extend its naming rights sponsorship of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and its associated regattas, the Rolex Trophy One Design and Rolex Trophy Rating Series, up to and including the 2015 race.

Seven Network retains exclusive broadcast rights for the start of Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:29:00 +1000

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the organising authority of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, is pleased to announce the Seven Network has been granted an extension of the exclusive rights to broadcast the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from 2011 to 2015.

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2009 Spirit of Yachting film screening on Sunday 7 February 10:30am Network 7

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 17:15:00 +1000

Purchase the Rolex Sydney Hobart Start DVD

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:52:00 +1000

Race Booty Shared

Fri, 1 Jan 2010 17:29:00 +1000

Owners and crews, friends and family, gathered on the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania lawn in warm sunshine today for the presentation of trophies for the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Overall Race Winner Confirmed

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:54:00 +1000

Andrew Saies' Two True survived a protest this afternoon to be confirmed as overall winner of the Tattersall's Cup, the major prize in the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race for the overall IRC handicap winner.

Two True - she's won the Rolex Sydney Hobart

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:00:00 +1000

Andrew Saies' new boat Two True this afternoon became just the fourth South Australian yacht to win the Rolex Sydney Yacht Race overall, but the win did not come without a long wait and plenty of angst.

Protest dismissed, Two True declared overall winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:15:00 +1000

Andrew Saies' newly launched Beneteau First 40 Two True has been declared the overall winner of the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race after a protest against him over an incident on Sydney Harbour soon after the start was dismissed by the five person international jury this afternoon.

She rolls into Hobart the Rolex Sydney Hobart PHS winner

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:39:00 +1000

Peter Rodgers did not quite take in the fact that he had provisionally won the PHS class overall in this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race when he moored at Constitution Dock just before midday today; maybe the slight head injury he sustained yesterday during the race had affected him.

Two True's win hangs in the balance

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:49:00 +1000

As the remainder of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race fleet trickles across the finish line, Andrew Saies' Beneteau First 40 Two True has moved into contention for the overall win. But first they have to survive this morning's 10am protest.

Handicap winner still in balance

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:14:00 +1000

The smallest boat in the fleet, Zephyr Hamilton Elevators, was as of this evening still well in the running to win the IRC overall handicap division of the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.

Rolex Sydney Hobart win will come down to time and a protest or two

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:06:00 +1000

Little Zephyr Hamilton Elevators is battling the elements in her efforts to become the smallest boat since Zeus II to win the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Slice of history for Lion New Zealand crew

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:46:00 +1000

Dave Dobbins' unofficial New Zealand anthem 'Slice of Heaven' was playing loudly on the stereo and the huge black New Zealand flag was flying on the Whitbread maxi Lion New Zealand's forestay as the crew celebrated their arrival in Hobart this morning, 25 years on from the boat's Sydney Hobart line honours win.

Tattersall's Cup Still in Doubt

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:31:00 +1000

The smaller boats at the back of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, after surviving frustrating light air and calms off the southeastern coast of New South Wales, are blowing home fast today.

Dolphins and the puffs when they are needed bring back memories of special mates

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:07:00 +1000

A pod of dolphins off Bicheno on the Tasmanian east coast, the biggest that veteran yachtsman Roger Hickman has ever seen, stopped him in his tracks on board the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race entrant Audi Centre Melbourne yesterday.

RAN on watch for Rolex double

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:44:00 +1000

The crew of the British 72-foot yacht R�N are on tenterhooks this morning, perhaps on the verge of achieving a remarkable double in ocean racing, to win both the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Sydney Hobart on corrected time in the same year.

Southerly Slow-Up

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:43:00 +1000

A strong southerly to southwesterly change sweeping up the Tasmanian coast this afternoon slowed the 87 yachts still at sea in the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.

Weather holds the key to race win

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:40:00 +1000

An unfavourable weather forecast for the rest of today and tomorrow for yachts still at sea and in contention for corrected time honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race holds the key to the overall race win this year.

Scallop pies first stop for Lahana crew

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:30:00 +1000

The Queensland super maxi Lahana, owned by Peter Millard and John Honan arrived in Hobart this afternoon, docking just before 5.00pm after finishing the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the eighth yacht to cross the line of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 628 nautical mile race.

Ingvall and Witt's new plans after Rolex Sydney Hobart

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:28:00 +1000

Ingvall and Witt, a former 18ft skiff champion and skipper of Volvo-class yachts in previous Rolex Sydney Hobart races, tied up in Hobart this afternoon, ecstatic about their race this time, and enthused about their new venture.

Pre-race favourite now waits for others to decide her fate

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:58:00 +1000

Zennstrom described R�N's race as a mixture of spectacular beats and reaches in amongst dispiriting lulls, when they had the wind seeker out, trying to find whatever whisp of breeze they could.

Classics of past chase modern glory

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:13:00 +1000

Forty-footers, several of them carrying the names of classic boats from the Corinthian past of Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Races, are coming into their own for an overall win in this year's event as they race down the Tasmanian east coast into the path of escalating southerly winds.

Sport stars thrive at sea

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:30:00 +1000

Boxing world champion Danny Green described his experience once Investec LOYAL had docked in Hobart, his first visit to the island state, after finishing fourth over the line. "The whole thing was a buzz. We all pulled together, there was great camaraderie."

Wild Oats XI does a rapid U-turn in Hobart while owner Bob Oatley plans to come back next year

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:41:00 +1000

Bob Oatley's supermaxi Wild Oats XI slipped into Hobart just minutes after midnight last night, but even before she had crossed the finish line in the Rolex Sydney Hobart race he was planning a return.

Wild Oats XI arrives in Alfa Romeo's wake

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:48:00 +1000

Mark Richards, the skipper of Wild Oats XI, the four-time line honours winner and record holder of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, vowed to return next year after finishing second to arch rival and near sistership, the New Zealand supermaxi Alfa Romeo, just after midnight this morning.

Alfa Gets the Gun at 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:54:00 +1000

After sailing a near perfect tactical race in extremely difficult conditions, with extremes from a testing 25-knot southerly, with a bumpy seaway through the first night, to a calm in the notoriously rough and windy Bass Strait, Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo was first to finish in the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, with an elapsed time of two days, 9hrs, 2mins, 10secs for the 628nm course.

Jubilant Crichton glad it's all over

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:52:00 +1000

A remarkably relaxed and fresh looking Neville Crichton steered his 100 foot supermaxi Alfa Romeo into Constitution Dock this evening after taking line honours in the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Alfa Romeo takes line honours

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:10:00 +1000

Neville Crichton's New Zealand supermaxi Alfa Romeo has taken line honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, crossing the finish line opposite Castray Esplanade on the Derwent River at 22:02:10hrs for an elapsed time of 2 days, 9 hours, 2 minutes and 10 seconds.

One More Hurdle

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:00:00 +1000

Through another day of stop-start sailing, Alfa Romeo retained the race lead she has held since clearing Sydney Heads. Wild Oats XI, a near sister Reichel/Pugh 100ft maxi, passed Mike Slade's ICAP Leopard and gained on Alfa, which had led her by up to 30 miles throughout the morning.

Wallaby flanker turned sailor

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:59:00 +1000

The all-star cast aboard the 100 footer Investec LOYAL - Olympic swimming gold medallist Grant Hackett, boxer Danny Green, HSBC Waratahs captain Phil Waugh and former rugby union player Phil Kearns - are getting the taste for ocean racing, so much so they are talking about signing up for next year's Rolex Sydney Hobart before they reach the finish line of this year's race.

Alfa Romeo holds on to Rolex Sydney Hobart lead

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:00:00 +1000

Despite a lead of about 14 nautical miles over four-time line honours winner Wild Oats XI, and only 70 nautical miles to go to the finish of this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Alfa Romeo skipper Neville Crichton is leaving nothing to chance.

Tassie yachts heading for home

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +1000

One of the biggest contingents of Tasmanian yachts left Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day racing to their home port of Hobart and for the eight yachts, getting to Sydney for the start of the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was itself quite a feat.

YuuZoo sailing in minefields

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:41:00 +1000

Ludde Ingvall, the former Finnish round the world sailor who gave away maxi yacht racing to run an equestrian business in New South Wales, has had a frustrating 24 hours searching for horsepower in Bass Strait as they chase the line honours leaders in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Wild Oats XI closing - but is it too late?

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:00:00 +1000

Should Neville Crichton get his hands on the highly prized Tattersall's Cup, his New Zealand supermaxi would be only the seventh boat in the history of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race to take the double of line honours and the overall winner on corrected time.

Fickle race stretches crews' patience to its limits

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:36:00 +1000

"We are in a parking lot," Michael Bellingham, the navigator of Stephen Ainsworth's normally super fast Reichel/Pugh 63 Loki reported. "It's time to break out the cards."

Alfa Romeo leads fleet on all counts

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:42:00 +1000

As Alfa Romeo surged down the Tasmanian coast at 7am this morning she was leading the Rolex Sydney Hobart on two fronts: line honours and IRC handicap. The lead she has opened up on the other maxis is so large that the New Zealand maxi is almost sailing a race of her own.

The Rich get Richer

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:14:00 +1000

The maxis leading the Rolex Sydney Harbour race fleet cleared a barrier of light air and calm in Bass Strait in the early hours of this morning to reach away on a new westerly flow at speeds of up to 20 knots.

Alfa Romeo heading for the daily double

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:24:00 +1000

Neville Crichton's 100 foot New Zealand maxi Alfa Romeo has overnight successfully negotiated her way through a wind hole north of Flinders Island to take a commanding 30 nautical mile lead over the two other maxis vainly chasing her tail.

March of the 40 footers

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:30:00 +1000

A little known yacht named St Jude is leading the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on handicap late this afternoon; the Sydney 47 owned by Noel Cornish contested the race for the first time last year and was not expected to be at the front end of the star studded fleet.

Stop-Start to Hobart

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:52:00 +1000

The Rolex Sydney Hobart race fleet leaders stalled and stopped in calms off the far south coast of New South Wales earlier today.

Alfa Romeo in box seat rival skipper concedes, big test looms this evening

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:48:00 +1000

Mike Slade, the skipper of the British maxi ICAP Leopard concedes that Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo may have opened the winning lead in the dash for line honours in this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Investec LOYAL closing on Ichi Ban and R�N

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:39:00 +1000

Sean Langman's 100 footer Investec LOYAL, with its team of champion sportsmen aboard, is closing in on Matt Allen's Ichi Ban and this year's overall winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race, Niklas Zennstrom's R�N, halving the distance every hour according to navigator David Dickson

Downwind conditions on the way as Alfa Romeo turns up the heat in the Rolex Sydney Hobart

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:06:00 +1000

With winds swinging to the north-east in the vicinity of South Cape just after midday, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is really on, as Alfa Romeo extends her lead over ICAP Leopard and Wild Oats XI in the race of the 100 footers to be first yacht to the finish line in Hobart.

Alfa Romeo Still Leading Light-Air Drag Race

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:30:00 +1000

Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo remained in control of her nearest maxi opponents through a changing wind pattern overnight and into the second day of the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Lead yachts sailing into lighter breeze as Alfa Romeo rains on Wild Oats XI's parade

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:42:00 +1000

As the front runners pass Montague Island they are sailing into a lighter southerly breeze and quite likely very soft winds in the top half of Bass Strait.

Alfa Romeo leads the way - Limit out of Rolex Sydney Hobart

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:09:00 +1000

Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo is leading the hunt for line honours victory in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race early this morning, but it is a three-boat war on the race track, as only five nautical miles separate the New Zealand leader from ICAP Leopard, owned and skippered by Mike Slade from the UK and four-time line honours winner Wild Oats XI, skippered by Mark Richards (NSW).

Wild Oats XI - one less crewman, and hunting for the lead

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:46:00 +1000

The anticipated bow-on-bow battle between Bob Oatley's Sydney Hobart race record holder, Wild Oats XI, and kiwi Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo was happening late today.

R�N takes charge of Rolex Sydney Hobart overall lead

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:37:00 +1000

The new British yacht R�N has taken the overall lead of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race this afternoon, Niklas Zennstrom and his crew making an early charge on Zennstrom's hope to win the 628 nautical mile race on handicap, adding to his overall win of the Rolex Fastnet Race in August.

Alfa Romeo and R�N stake their claims at the start, no fairy tale for Etihad Stadium

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:40:00 +1000

Neville Crichton's 100 foot maxi Alfa Romeo this afternoon grabbed bragging rights from arch rival Wild Oats XI by being the first yacht out of Sydney Harbour at the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Etihad Stadium first high profile casualty

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:19:00 +1000

Melbourne maxi Etihad Stadium is the first high profile casualty of the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, a disappointed owner/skipper Grant Wharington officially retiring at 2.05pm this afternoon citing rigging issues.

Wet but spectacular spinnaker start to Rolex Sydney Hobart

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:03:00 +1000

It may have been raining and overcast, but the start of the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was still nothing short of spectacular as yacht crews popped spinnakers in a 12-15 knot southerly, just after the 1.00pm start on Sydney Harbour today. Before they had the chance the exit the Harbour, things went pear-shaped for four yachts.

Tactical decisions the key to 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:31:00 +1000

The Rolex Sydney Hobart will start this year under spinnaker in a moderate southerly breeze. As the yachts turn out to sea the spinnakers will be shoved down below, and they'll stay there for most of the race.

Rolex Sydney Hobart: There's more to it than racing!

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:08:00 +1000

The start is less than three hours away and it's not just the crews on the 100 yachts participating in the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart who are making their final preparations - those from the organisers, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), the Principal Race Officer and his team, the International Jury and those on the Radio Relay vessel which accompanies the fleet to Hobart are all busy too.

Cyclone legacy for Rolex Sydney Hobart start

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:21:00 +1000

The low pressure system remnant of a tropical cyclone crossing the continent is setting up a tricky wind pattern for the Rolex Sydney Hobart race, for its Boxing Day start.

Teddy Bear to sail the Rolex Sydney Hobart for Kids Cancer Research

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:52:00 +1000

The new OCF teddy bear - Dr Fredrick Bear will be gearing up for his first Rolex Sydney Hobart challenge as a crew member on the IMX Yacht - Nips N Tux, skippered by Sydney Plastic Surgeon, Dr Howard de Torres.

Cruising in the fast lane

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:49:00 +1000

Among the eight maxis jostling on the start line this Saturday, look for a US 100 footer called Rapture. On board will be 40 year old owner Brook Lenfest. He has done the race before, on his then Swan 86. As was the case with the Swan, Rapture is competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart as part of a series of races and cruises that will take her around the world.

Can these two reprise their Fastnet feat?

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:56:00 +1000

Mike Slade's maxi ICAP Leopard and UK based Niklas Zennstrom's new, state of the art 72 footer R�N showed they are the boats to beat in the northern hemisphere when they scored impressive line honours and handicap victories respectively in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race.

Local Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Crew Aim to Raise $50K for Livewire

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:55:00 +1000

A local Sydney crew is competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race to help Livewire support young people living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.

Everyone has a chance with mixed bag of weather for Rolex Sydney Hobart

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:28:00 +1000

This morning the Bureau of Meteorology's Rob Webb delivered his Christmas news to those taking part in the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, a mixed bag of weather, which will give every boat in the 100-strong fleet opportunities to make their mark.

Etihad Stadium Mast is Up

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:17:00 +1000

Thirteen days after dismasting in Bass Strait on the delivery sail from Melbourne to Sydney, the Etihad Stadium maxi is now looking like a 98 foot ocean racing machine again.

Strewth, 40 already?

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:42:00 +1000

Bruce Gould will join a very exclusive ocean racing club when he crews Geoff Hill's MKL49 Strewth to the starting line on Boxing Day. It will be his 40th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Just eight other sailors have reached this milestone.

Midnight manoeuvres for Wild Oats XI to repair keel damage

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:48:00 +1000

There was plenty of unscheduled activity at Woolwich Dock, on Sydney Harbour, around midnight last night when Bob Oatley's Rolex Sydney-Hobart race record holder, Wild Oats XI, was lifted from the water so repairs could be made to the yacht's keel.

Big Cook Up Overnight For Etihad Stadium Maxi Mast

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:46:00 +1000

For the rest of the country not involved in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, there's probably some cooking to do done to get ready for Christmas, but for the Etihad Stadium maxi crew, there's no plum pudding and turkey - just the vital ingredients to put their mast back together.

Race for Tattersall's Cup wide open

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:38:00 +1000

Geoff Ross, the skipper of the Reichel/Pugh 55 Yendys and outright winner of the race in 1999 reckons that not even Nostradamus could predict the winner of this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart. "This is the most competitive race I've sailed in 15 years of sailing to Hobart," he says.

Santa delivers another sleigh ride to Hobart

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:04:00 +1000

The 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart is shaping up as another uncharacteristically straightforward sleigh ride south for the big boats with the weekend's forecast nor'easter putting Wild Oats XI on track to finish four hours ahead of its own race record, according to at least one forecast model.

Yahoo!7 to live stream Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:02:00 +1000

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is pleased to announce that the Seven Network and Yahoo!7, will provide a live 90 minute webcast of the start of the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race to a global audience. This is the second year that Yahoo!7 has live streamed the race.

Race coverage goes mobile in historic first for Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:26:00 +1000

Get the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Updates on your mobile

The second first across the line

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:37:00 +1000

Whereas every other division is decided on handicap, so the fastest is not necessarily the victor, the one design Sydney 38s are identical, with identical ratings. The first across the line is the winner. No correspondence entered into.

Spirit of Sir Peter Sailing South With Sarah-Jane

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:31:00 +1000

Eight years after her father, the legendary Sir Peter Blake, was murdered aboard his boat while on an environmental crusade in Brazil, daughter Sarah-Jane Blake is only now able to watch footage of her dad.

When Sally met Archie

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:35:00 +1000

On Boxing Day she will skipper her very own ocean racer, Archie, an Archambault 35, across the starting line of the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2009. To say that Sally is a little bit excited is an understatement.

Ludde wants a crew of half a million

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:59:00 +1000

Ludde Ingvall has been absent from the Rolex Sydney Hobart ever since he snuck his 90 foot maxi Nicorette first across the line amid the mayhem of the 2004 race.

From Maxi Yachts to Little Boats

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:47:00 +1000

This morning representatives from seven of the eight maxis lining up for this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart became mini boat skippers, racing two feet long model boats in the inaugural Little Boat Challenge.

A Waiting Game For The Next 24 Hours

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:20:00 +1000

At this stage, the ever optimistic Wharington, believes that it could be do-able. "Based on what we saw with the rig plans today, there are no insurmountable problems with the use of the replacement mast at this stage" he said.

Early start for the Etihad Stadium crew in Melbourne

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 10:07:00 +1000

Grant Wharington and his Victorian based crew, together with the Southern Spar engineers, will work through a range of options to conclude what might be the easiest and best way to cut a replacement mast in half to make the transport of it from the South of France a more simple exercise.

Etihad Stadium Supermaxi now heading for Sydney

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:40:00 +1000

After a very long night and day at sea with no mast, the Etihad Stadium (formerly known as Wild Thing) maxi crew has split in two groups at Eden on the NSW South Coast.

Etihad Stadium to arrive in Eden before dark

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:11:00 +1000

For Grant Wharington's Etihad Stadium maxi (formerly known as Wild Thing), it's been a long day on the water motoring along at not much more than 8 knots (just under 15 kilometres an hour), but Eden is within reach, and they expect to be in the marina on the NSW South Coast by around 5:30pm this evening.

Slow Motor to Eden for Etihad Stadium

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:27:00 +1000

Grant Wharington and his crew have a slow day ahead on the water today as the Etihad Stadium (formerly Wild Thing) motors to Eden after dismasting yesterday 10 miles off Deal Island*.

Grant Wharington's 98 foot Supermaxi Etihad Stadium has lost its rig 10 miles off Deal Island*

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:27:00 +1000

Grant Wharington's 98 foot supermaxi Etihad Stadium has lost its rig 10 miles off Deal Island*

Super sized assembling for SOLAS Big Boat Challenge

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 14:26:00 +1000

The super sized and super quick are quietly assembling in Sydney Harbour for one of the greatest days on the Australian sailing calendar, the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge maxi boat race. starting at 12.30pm on Tuesday 15th December

Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet joins pre-Christmas rush

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 13:07:00 +1000

For UK entries Ran and ICAP Leopard, an unforeseen shipping delay has cost them two weeks preparation time.

Wild Oats XI 'Race Ready' after 24 hour Offshore Trial

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:09:00 +1000

"We're not kidding ourselves; this will be the toughest ever contest when it comes to being first to Hobart," Richards said. "If we are to defend our crown we have to be perfectly prepared, and that's what the past 24 hours was all about.

The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, MP announces the Sailors with disAbilties Rolex Sydney Hobart crew

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:34:00 +1000

The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, MP today announced the Sailors with disABILITIES (SWD) Rolex Sydney Hobart crew for 2009 on the International Day of People with a Disability, at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Big Wild Thing Mast goes in today

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 15:32:00 +1000

Preparation of the Wild Thing supermaxi for the Rolex Sydney Hobart is in full swing this week after the successful installation of the new keel at Westgate Ports in Melbourne yesterday.

Rolex Sydney Hobart Start to Set Harbour Alight

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:24:00 +1000

The spotlight is well and truly on the impending line honours tussle as Bob Oatley's Reichel Pugh 100, Wild Oats XI, is prepped for an unprecedented five in a row, the mighty Sydney maxi edging closer to Morna/Kurrewa's all-time record of seven non-consecutive titles. The difference this year is that the current race record holder is not the only standout big boat in the pack.

Quest's Cabbage Tree Island win spoils Loki's trifecta

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 11:33:00 +1000

Despite Loki's record breaking run in the Cabbage Tree Island Race yesterday, Bob Steel's Quest, last year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race winner, arrived at the Sydney Harbour finish line in time to take overall honours in the race, denying Stephen Ainsworth his wished-for race trifecta.

Loki smashes Cabbage Tree Island Race record

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 14:16:00 +1000

Stephen Ainsworth and his Loki crew smashed the Cabbage Tree Island Race record today, finishing the 180 nautical mile race at 12:32:47pm, slicing more than one hour off the time set by Bob Oatley's super maxi Wild Oats XI in the race last year. It was a tidy day's work for Loki; a Reichel/Pugh 63 from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the organisers of the race, setting a new time of 16 hours, 32min, 47sec to best the 30 metre Reichel/Pugh designed Wild Oats XI, by one hour 26min 1sec in ideal conditions.

Thirty four to line-up for Cabbage Tree Island Race

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:11:00 +1000

A fleet of 34 yachts will set off on tonight's 180 nautical mile Cabbage Tree Island Race, a qualifier for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, both of which are hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

Vintage yawl Sanyo Maris wins Lord Howe Island Race - again!

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:49:00 +1000

Clean Up Australia founder and round-the-world yachtsman Ian Kiernan has cleaned up again in the Hempel Paints 36th Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race, steering his classic yawl Sanyo Maris to its second successive IRC handicap victory in the ocean race across the northern Tasman Sea.

Fleet of 116 nominated for Rolex Sydney Hobart

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 17:37:00 +1000

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and naming rights sponsor Rolex are delighted to announce an impressive fleet of 116 has been nominated for the impending Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, one of the world's most highly regarded ocean classics.

Calm Makes Winning Australian Debut in Melbourne to Stanley Race

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:55:00 +1000

The former champion Northern Hemisphere TP52 Calm made a winning offshore racing debut in Australian waters at the weekend when she took line and IRC honours in the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's annual race across Bass Strait from Melbourne to Stanley.

Rolex Sydney Hobart applications for entry close in one week

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:22:00 +1000

You've got to be in it to win it! Those wanting to conquer the Mount Everest of ocean racing - the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - have just one week left to submit an application for entry

Alfa Romeo Smashes 13 Year Kiwi Race Record en Route to Rolex Sydney Hobart

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:01:00 +1000

CYCA Member Neville Crichton's Reichel Pugh designed 100 ft maxi, Alfa Romeo, is leaving a trail of smashed race records across the Pacific as she heads towards a head to head battle with Robert Oatley's Wild Oats XI in December's Rolex Sydney Hobart. The Kiwi yacht demolished the race record at the weekend (23 October 2009) in New Zealand's HSBC Coastal Classic, following the annihilation of the TransPac Race Record in July.

Rolex Middle Sea Race concludes

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:53:00 +1000

Top prize of the event, the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy and Rolex Yacht-master Chronometer for finishing first overall under IRC Handicap went to Andres Soriano, skipper and owner of the 69-foot Mills designed Alegre.

Lion New Zealand returns to Rolex Sydney Hobart

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:21:00 +1000

Twenty-five years on from its line honours victory in the great Australian ocean classic, iconic Kiwi yacht Lion New Zealand has this week been stamped the 60th applicant for entry for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2009.

Rolex Middle Sea Race - Course Record Eludes Line Honours Winner

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:37:00 +1000

ICAP Leopard (GBR) was first home at the 2009 Rolex Middle Sea Race taking the award for line honours. Try as they might, Mike Slade's all-star crew were unable to crack the nut that is Rambler's course record.

Rolex Fastnet winners to compete in the Rolex Sydney Hobart

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 11:48:00 +1000

For the first time ever, the line honours and overall handicap winners of Britain's famous Rolex Fastnet Race will contest the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in the same year. Mike Slade's Farr 100 ICAP Leopard and Niklas Zennstrom's JV72 R�n, the line honours and overall winners respectively of this year's Rolex Fastnet Race, will make their way to Sydney to compete in the 65th edition of the Australian blue water classic which starts at 1pm on 26 December from Sydney Harbour.

First international entrant arrives for Rolex Sydney Hobart 2009

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:59:00 +1000

Charisma, the S & S 57 owned by Spanish banker Alejandro Perez Calzada, sailing under the burgee of Royal Nautical Club of Barcelona, has arrived in Sydney three months prior to the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2009. Charisma will be the second Spanish yacht ever to have applied for entry to compete in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, adding to the strongest international line-up in years to contest the 628 nautical mile ocean classic.

First applications received for Rolex Sydney Hobart 2009

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:59:00 +1000

Within hours of the release of the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2009 Notice of Race, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia had received its first four applications for entry, and this figure has now climbed to eight.

65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Notice of Race and Application for Entry Now Available

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:26:00 +1000

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the organising authority for the 65th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and Rolex SA of Geneva, the race's naming rights sponsor, have announced the release of the Notice of Race and invite applications for entry.

Battle for Rolex Sydney Hobart line honours glory

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:52:00 +1000

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2009 will see an unprecedented gladiatorial contest for line honours as a result of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's decision to increase the overall length limit (LOA) of competing yachts from 98 to 100ft, or 30 to 30.48 metres.

CYCA Member Neville Crichton debuts his new 71ft Alfa Romeo with four line honours wins

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 21:45:00 +1000

CYCA Member Neville Crichton has just debuted his new 71 foot pocket maxi Alfa Romeo winning its first four races whilst competing in the 2009 Copa del Rey in Majorca. This win comes hot on the heels of Crichton's win in the Transpac Race in his 100ft Alfa Romeo and proves that he will be one man to watch in the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race when he brings the 100 foot maxi Alfa Romeo to Australia.