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The Race is on to Hobart

Phil Northeast January 2006

In 2006 Hobart is once again the yachting capital of the world over the New Year period with two major races starting from Australia's two largest cities on Boxing Day that end in Tasmania's harbour capital.

Some of the yachts lined up in Constitution Dock after reaching Hobart.

The most important is the race from Sydney that has been sailed every year since 1945 and is one of the world's great ocean racing classics. This year a fleet of 85 yachts sailed through the heads of Sydney Harbour on their way south to Hobart for the 61st sailing of this 630 nautical mile race.

The other race from Melbourne is a more recent innovation but is gaining a reputation as one of the toughest ocean races because the course is around the West Coast of Tasmania. The 2005 Melbourne to Hobart is only the 33rd race and only 12 yachts accepted the challenge this year.

The weather plays a big part in determining the character of these races. When the wind comes from the south the Sydney-Hobart fleet can have tough time with yachts being severely damaged and in sometimes crew have lost their lives. This year with favourable northerly winds the fleet flew down the east coast of Australia setting a new race record.

Working the sails is full time job

On the other side of Tasmania the Melbourne-Hobart yachts contended with the higher winds that are common off the exposed west coast. Possibly because they anticipate more extreme conditions this race seems to have fewer retirements and tragedies than the Sydney-Hobart.

Both fleets receive a warm welcome at the Hobart waterfront and the yachts become the centre point for the city's New Year celebrations.