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Storm Bay sting in the tail as Aragon and Callisto grind out Hobart finish

Home 2025 Storm Bay sting in the tail as Aragon and Callisto grind out Hobart finish

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The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race delivered one final test to Aragon and Callisto long after the Southern Ocean had loosened its grip — a slow, punishing crawl through Storm Bay that turned the final miles into some of the hardest racing of the entire passage.

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Time & Date: 29/12/2025 – 1815 (77.2 hours after the start)       

For Aragon navigator Adrienne Cahalan, the race was defined by constant decision-making under pressure, starting from a brutal opening night that forced dozens of boats out of contention. 

Adrienne Cahalan - CYCA/Ashley Dart pic.

“It all went well, but it was a very tough race, like you would expect,” Cahalan said. “I mean, 34 retirements — that tells you something straight away.” 

While others struggled, Aragon was racing strongly early, using current to its advantage but remaining cautious as heavy seas built. Cahalan said the challenge was knowing when to push and when to protect the boat. 

“You’ve got to manage and balance seamanship with strategy,” she said. “It only takes falling off one wrong wave to break something, so we were very mindful of that.” 

As conditions eased, Aragon became locked in a close on-water battle with Smuggler and Callisto, boats trading places and keeping one another under constant pressure. 

“We had a really good race with Smuggler and also Callisto,” Cahalan said. “You could see us all coming down together. It was amazing — and yeah, a bit of extra fun.” 

Her crewmate Arco van Nieuwland, on his Sydney Hobart debut, was glowing in his praise of Cahalan. “Hey, I'll get it on record … she's the best,” he said. 
 
Cahalan said the race’s defining moment came late, in Storm Bay, where light and conflicting winds turned the final run into a drawn-out tactical struggle. An easterly pushing against the afternoon sea breeze brought progress almost to a standstill. 

Aragon's owner, Andries Verder, and his children before the race - ROLEX/Andrea Francolini pic.

“I’ve never seen Storm Bay like I’ve seen it today,” Cahalan said. “It was completely different again — really tricky.” 

Aragon rounded Storm Bay late in the morning but didn’t reach Hobart until nearly five o’clock, spending close to six hours fighting through conditions that should have taken a fraction of that time. 

“There was a lot of jostling,” she said. “We could see Callisto stopped at times — it’s just this race. There’s so much to it.” 

That frustration was mirrored on board Callisto, where crew member Mal Parker said the final 40 miles were the most demanding part of his ninth Sydney Hobart. 

“The race had everything — from no wind to 30 knots and five-metre waves,” said Parker. 

“But the most challenging part was definitely the last part.” 

What should have been a three-hour sprint from the Iron Pot stretched into an eight-hour grind as the breeze faded and returned without warning. 

“The wind just wouldn’t cooperate,” Parker said. “We changed sails about 50 times. It just kept coming and going.” 

Earlier in the race, Callisto’s focus was on survival as heavy seas slammed the boat. Parker said the crew spent long hours listening for any sign of structural failure. 

“When the weather got bad, we were listening to the boat — listening for cracks or noises, anything breaking,” he said. “But we didn’t break anything at all. Everyone’s fit and healthy, and for that alone, we’re thankful.” 

For Parker, a Tasmanian sailor, the reward of sailing into Hobart never fades. 

“There’s no better race in the world to sail into as your home port,” he said. “I’m a bit biased.” 

In Division Zero, Aragon faced a spread fleet, watching the maxis disappear a day ahead before settling into a race with Callisto and No Limit. While No Limit eventually slipped clear, Cahalan said the contest was one of the most engaging she has navigated. 

“From a navigator’s point of view, it was really interesting — but physically hard too,” she said. “There was a lot to do.” 

Despite the fatigue, Cahalan said she would be back. 

“I love it,” she said. “My favourite part was definitely the downwind — when you pop a sheet and you jibe down the coast.” 

Steve Dettre/RSHYR media