Founded in 1945, the classic Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is one of the greatest offshore yacht races in the world. Very few other sailing races attract the attention paid to this event. Only the America's Cup and Volvo Ocean races attract more public attention. Running under the auspices of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), the race has impacted the world of offshore yacht racing with its improvements to communications, vessel design, and ship safety.
The Sydney Hobart Race Course
Vessels in the race depart from Sidney Harbor and travel 628 nautical miles to the Port of Hobart on Tasmania Island. They travel through the Tasman Sea along the southeast coast of Australia, cross the Bass Strait, and then down the eastern coast of Tasmania. Weather and sailing conditions are often severe during the race. Success depends on good tactical decisions reading the wind and current conditions. Terrain along the race route is best described as spectacular and scenic.
The Competing Yachts and Use of Emerging Technology
The Sydney Hobart race is open to anyone who owns a yacht that qualifies for the event and which meets all the safety criteria required in Australia for a Category 1 race. Course conditions and the push for improved speeds have spawned the use of new and innovative technologies. Some of these improvements included the first use of Dacron sails, aluminum masts, and fiberglass reinforced plastic hulls. Current yachts are taking advantage of carbon fiber for construction of hulls, masts, sails, and booms. Sailors can use canting keels and water ballast to reach top speeds. Yachts are literally on the bleeding edge of race vessel design.
CYCA's Yacht Tracker
Each vessel participating in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is equipped with the Inmarsat D+ two-way data communication service that provides remote monitoring and tracking of race vessels. A dedicated website provided by the CYCA at www.rolexsydneyhobart.com allows visitors to the site to view real time position, course over ground, and speed of each vessel. Viewers will also be able to view each vessel's position within the racing fleet.
This year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will take place between December 26, 2006 and January 1, 2007. Even from the other side of the globe, you can track and follow the participants and race events on the internet.
