The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) has welcomed entries for eligible yachts for the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
The 78th edition of the historic 628 nautical mile classic will start on Sydney Harbour at 1pm on Tuesday 26 December 2023.
An international and highly competitive fleet is expected to participate this year following the success of what has been described as a ‘Classic Hobart’ in 2022 which saw 109 entrants on the starting line – the first race not heavily impacted by border restrictions since the 75th Anniversary race in 2019.
A tightly contested upwind start on Sydney Harbour was followed by a fast run down the NSW coastline before the main fleet experienced challenging conditions and strong breeze as they approached Hobart.
Sam Haynes’ TP52 Celestial was the Overall Winner of the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart. John Winning Jr’s 100ft maxi Andoo Comanche took Line Honours in a time of 1 day, 11 hours, 56 minutes. Both are expected to defend their titles in 2023.
Eight international boats from across the globe competed in 2022, including Caro, (winner of the 2022 Australian Championships and Division 1 at Les Voiles de St Barthes), Warrior Won, (Winner 2022 RORC Caribbean 600), and Sunrise, (Winner of the 2022 Rolex Fastnet Race and 2nd in the Rolex Middle Sea Race).
Nineteen boats competed as two-handed entries with Ruper Henry’s Lombard 34 Mistral taking IRC honours.
Arthur Lane, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, said: “We expect a strong fleet to contest the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart with the prospect of our many local racing teams from all states of Australia being joined by a world-class group of international entrants. There has already been early interest shown by overseas teams.
“The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia once again extends its warm appreciation to Rolex for its ongoing support of the Race and sailing globally as well as to our many valued race partners including our good friends at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania as Race Finishing Partner.”
Entries for the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart close at 5:00pm on Friday 27 October 2023.
For more information visit rolexsydneyhobart.com
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