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

Light winds slow Happy Wanderer as crew eyes early-morning finish

Home 2025 Light winds slow Happy Wanderer as crew eyes early-morning finish

Article Image

Light and variable winds are testing the patience of the crew aboard Happy Wanderer as the yacht makes its final approach toward Tasmania, following two physically demanding nights at sea in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

news
—

Time & Date: 29/12/2025 – 1130 (70.4 hours after the start)  

Crew member Andrew Marr said the boat was struggling to find enough pressure to lift its pace, estimating the breeze at under 10 knots as the yacht edged south. 

“At the moment, there’s just not enough breeze,” Marr said. “A couple more knots would be great. We don’t have wind instruments, so it’s sailing by feel, but we’re making way.” 

Despite the lighter air, conditions have improved markedly over the past 24 hours. After a punishing second night, morale on board has lifted as the seas have eased and the crew has had a chance to recover. 

Happy Wanderer racing in the 2024 Sydney Hobart - CYCA/Salty Dingo pic.

“The sea state has improved enormously,” Marr said. “Everyone’s a bit more refreshed now, more positive, and ready to crack on to Hobart.” 

At the time of the interview, Happy Wanderer, a Corby 49 skippered by Dan Cannon, was positioned about 40 nautical miles off Tasmania’s east coast, near St Marys, after enduring rough and uncomfortable conditions earlier in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s race. 

“The first couple of nights were pretty tough,” Marr said. “It was rough, lumpy, and very dark. You couldn’t really see the cross swell coming at you. There was a lot of water over the deck and plenty of free-falling off the back of waves.” 

Fatigue and frustration were common as the boat was repeatedly hit by heavy seas, but Marr said the crew regrouped once conditions began to moderate. 

“There was a bit of general discontent and a lot of people questioning their intelligence for being out there,” he said. “But we’ve all regathered. There’s no real damage, apart from the wind instruments, and morale’s high again.” 

With the boat averaging around 6 to 7 knots, the crew is now hoping for a little more wind pressure to speed up the final leg south. 

“We just want a bit more breeze and to get moving faster,” Marr said. 

Based on current conditions, Happy Wanderer is expected to arrive at the Hobart finish line between 1am and 3am tomorrow, bringing an end to a challenging but resilient passage for the crew. 

Meanwhile, Jana Com, crew member on Bacardi, said they had some odd challenges out at sea this morning. 

 

The Bacardi crew ahead of the Boxing Day race start - Bacardi pic.

“We had to navigate around a few sperm whales, saw some seals and heaps of dolphins in the lighter weather,” she said. 


Jana Com and some of the Bacardi crew on deck this morning - Bacardi pic.

“We’re enjoying the sunshine after the wet first days while searching for a bit heavier breeze,” she added. 
 
Steve Dettre/Di Pearson/RSHYR media