There’s severe weather warnings for the 2025 Sydney to Hobart Yacht race as it celebrates its 80th anniversary, with up to 5m seas on the forecast.
Sailors in around 130 yachts will head south from 1pm in some of the toughest and torrid conditions including strong southerly winds.
When the fleet races through Sydney Heads and turns right they’ll encounter 20-25 knots of wind on the nose in what will make for hazardous and severely testing circumstances.
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“It ain’t pretty. There will be retirements,” said Chris Nicholson of back-to-back defending line honours champion LawConnect.
“It’s more about the seas than the wind at this stage.”
2025 safety changes to SYD to HOB race | 03:00
A core of the fleet is expected to stay closer inshore than normal to avoid the worst conditions.
Event director Lee Goddard forecasted adverse effects on racers.
“There will be incidents, and there probably will be injuries,” he said on Wednesday.
“It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be wet, it’s going to be bumpy, people are going to get seasick, and there will be incidents, and there probably will be injuries.
“Prepare yourself well for this. There will be retirements not only because of technical breakages, but simply because people are going to get seasick or uncomfortable, et cetera, as well.”
Read on for everything you need to know about the 2025 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Law Connect chasing three-peat honours | 03:47
What time does it start?
The race kicks off from Sydney Harbour at 1pm (AEDT) on Boxing Day.
What time does it end?
While it varies from year to year, a typical line hours race is completely in around 48 hours, therefore finishing on December 28-29.
The Sydney to Hobart line hours record is one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds, set in 2017 by LIV Comanche. But given this year’s choppy conditions, that record is highly unlikely to be broken.
How can I watch it?
It will be broadcast live on Channel 9 and the 9Now app. It will also be streamed live on the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s YouTube channel.
For those at the event, Sydney Harbour is a natural viewing spot, with numerous other vantage points including South Head, South Head Heritage Trail, North Head, Christison Park (Vaucluse), Watsons Bay and Lady Bay Beach.
Who are the favourites?
Master Lock Comanche is the favourite for line honours, while LawConnect is chasing a historic three-peat of line honours titles.
What is the prize for winning?
There is no prize as such for winning, outside of the two highly coveted sailing trophies.
The line honours winner receives the J.H. Illingworth Challenge Trophy, while the overall winner takes home the Tattersall Cup.
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