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Early Rolex Sydney Hobart entries keen to complete unfinished business

Home 2026 Early Rolex Sydney Hobart entries keen to complete unfinished business

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Within minutes of entries opening at 1130 hours on Tuesday 26 May for the 81st Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, two yachts secured spots – Grant Wharington and Adrian Seiffert's maxi Wild Thing 100 (AUS) and the Verdier 40 Vixen Racing (NZL), with Sharon Ferris-Choat at the helm.

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These are two very different boats although they both sport pink across their hulls (black and pink for Wild Thing 100, white and pink for Vixen Racing) and their co-owners have unfinished business with the race after retiring from last year's 80th edition.

"It's really funny that the pink boats were the first to enter," Vixen Racing’s New Zealand based Ferris-Choat said over the phone from Opua, New Zealand.

Entries coming in fast

Already, 24 yachts are locked in for the December 26 race. Among them are Mark Richards' maxi Palm Beach XI, which is back for another tilt at a podium finish after returning in 2025 for the first time since 2022, Sean Langman's Reichel Pugh GP42 Back 2 Black, and competitive Corinthian entry Richard Hudson’s IC 45 MOD Pretty Woman.

Wild Thing 100 on the ball

Grant Wharington has experienced 32 Sydney Hobart starts, but this is the first time he’s nailed the admin.

"We got in first, it's incredible. It's the first time in 33 races that I've ever been early," an amused Wharington said over the phone from the Gold Coast.

Wharington gave full credit to Wild Thing 100 boat captain Theodore Somssich, who clicked on ‘submit’ before several other competitors, including Palm Beach XI's Mark Richards.

"Theo was on the ball! He was very proud of himself – got to it 15 seconds before Ricko [Mark Richards]," Wharington said.

The big challenge for Wild Thing 100 will be to cross the finish line first.

The Queensland crew were forced to retire from the 80th edition in the early hours of 27 December after a runner block failure and problems with the reef lock lashing – repairs couldn't safely be made in rough offshore conditions. The retirement was especially hard to take as it was the first time that the 100-footer (converted from 80 to 100 feet in 2023), competed in the race with a mast suited to its hull size.

Wharington is determined to see Wild Thing 100 reach the finish line this year. The mast is undergoing modifications on the Gold Coast, and further alterations to the yacht's displacement are planned throughout the year to address the upwind performance issues that plagued her in last year's race, particularly in the stronger conditions. Wharington also hopes the changes make Wild Thing 100 competitive in IRC Overall, with his sights set on matching or bettering the yacht’s third place Overall finish from 2024.

Most importantly, Wharington is buzzing with anticipation to enjoy the world-class celebrations that will greet him and the crew in Hobart following 48-plus hours at sea.

“There is nothing like Hobart,” Wharington said.

Vixen Racing ready and set to go

Vixen Racing, representing Bay of Islands Yacht Club, New Zealand, was well placed in the 2025 edition of the 628 nautical mile race until night two, when a massive wave left a crew member with rib injuries, forcing the yacht’s retirement.

"We can't wait to be on the start line on Boxing Day. It's unfinished business – we were doing so well last year," Ferris-Choat said.

Vixen Racing is an offshore sailing program that sells positions on board for offshore races, regattas, and sailing courses. Ferris-Choat, a two-time Olympian and holder of several world sailing speed records, is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with crew members, with the hope of inspiring them to one day race their own boat to Hobart. Ferris-Choat is one of three co-owners of the boat.

She also hinted at the potential of taking an all-women crew to Hobart, dependent on securing sponsorship.

"We'll see," Ferris-Choat said.

In the meantime, Ferris-Choat has a few other challenges to contend with. She lines up in the Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge (a 1170 nautical mile solo offshore race from Opua Cruising Club to Southport Yacht Club) on Saturday 30 May and looks forward to the 40-knot conditions forecast. After that, she can't wait to get back to fully crewed racing on board Vixen Racing – the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast in July, race weeks in Queensland, and the Sydney Hobart in December.

"I can't wait to have a crew back again rather than prepping the yacht solo," Ferris-Choat said.