Skip to main content
Time to race start
00 days
:
00 hrs
:
00 min
:
00 sec

Select the race year to view.

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945

Select the race to view.

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

Home Race 1985 Recap

1985 Race Recap

Apollo going upwind in the 1984 Sydney Hobart

Jack Rooklyn's Apollo, line honours winner in 1985

AWA Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1985

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 1985 Edition is here.    

Race Documents

1985 AWA Sydney Hobart Race Notice of Race

41st AWA Sydney-Hobart Race and AWA Southern Cross Series Results and Trophy Awards 

Weather

The record fleet of 179 had one of the most chaotic starts on record with numerous minor and near collisions in a 15-18 knot nor'noreaster. The first afternoon was a run before a fresh 20-25 knot nor'easter until a southerly front passed through the fleet around 9.00 pm. The southerly remained for almost 48 hours. Again it was a two-day punch into a strong southerly, much of the time in 25-30 knots, with a punishing sea (although not as severe as 1984). 

Retirements were many. All yachts had strong windward work from Jervis Bay to well into Bass Strait, and there was no let-up for 48 hours.  As the leaders approached the NE tip of Tasmania, strong WSW winds were encountered, allowing the yachts to spring sheets.  On the night of the 28th WSW winds were replaced by a pleasant 10 knot sou'easterly for the leaders, while the tailenders had strong westerlies across the Strait. 

The next day saw light and fitful airs down the east coast of Tasmania which were replaced by weak NE sea breezes of no more than 15 knots.  All yachts had fickle airs in Storm Bay and the Derwent, with placings changing continuously and boats making agonising progress from Tasman Island to the finish.

Race reports

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

March 1986 Offshore - see pages 14 to 25