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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
COMING SOON
18 March, 2026
View Results

Home Race 1976 Recap

1976 Race Recap

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Piccolo, Overall Winner in 1976

Hitachi Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 1976

Race Program

Prior to each race Cruising Yacht Club of Australia publishes a separate official race program (with details of competing boats, the results of past races and articles about the race and its participants and other important events).  The 1976 Edition is here.    

Weather

The start was in light NE winds of about 8 knots which freshened in the afternoon. By early evening it had turned to a 25 knot southerly which reached 40 knots during the night. On the 27th it was NE again with 5-10 knots most of the day turning to SW 5-10 knots during the night. By the next morning it was blowing 35 knots and later W 30 gusting 40 knots.

By morning of the 29th 8 boats had retired and breeze was still W at 30 knots. Later in the day some boats finished, while the wind shifted to the south at 25 knots. Early on the 30th the breeze had moderated to 10 knots W while in the afternoon it moved to the SE at 15 knots. By the morning on the 31st there were 37 yachts in with the others experiencing light and variable winds. In all a record 15 boats retired in this toughest race since 1970.

Race reports

After each race, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's magazine Offshore contains reports and articles on the race.  Read on to access them.

February/March 1977 Offshore - see pages 2 to 8