Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024 | 99 Days to Race Day

• NEWS
• 18 Sep, 2024 10:11:00 AM

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024 | 99 Days to Race Day

With now only 99 days remaining until the start of the 79th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, this year’s field of competitors is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. A total of 75 yachts have already registered, ranging from seasoned campaigners to first-time entrants - all gearing up for the 628 nautical-mile challenge.

Yachts will descend on Sydney Harbour from all states. At this stage:

• 40 are from New South Wales
• 11 from Victoria
• 8 from Tasmania
• 7 from Queensland
• 3 from South Australia, and
• 2 from Western Australia

As the countdown continues and entries remain open until Friday 25 October, more competitors are expected to join, eager to test themselves against the elements in one of the world’s most prestigious ocean races.

Christian Beck after winning Line Honours in the  2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race | CREDIT: CYCA | Salty Dingo

Maxis and Mini-Maxis

The race will once again see the fierce rivalry between some of the largest and fastest yachts in the world, with a strong fleet of Maxis and Mini-Maxis already confirmed. Among the headline entries are several 100-foot giants, each with their sights set on the coveted Line Honours title. These ocean racing powerhouses will be racing not just against the weather, but also against each other, as they push their boats to the limit in pursuit of the fastest time to Hobart.

Last year’s Line Honours winner, LawConnect, is once again firmly focused on defending its title, while Comanche aims to reaffirm its dominance in the offshore fleet. Joining the biggest of the fleet is the luxury cruiser Maritimo 100, the recently-arrived Oyster 100 owned by Billy Barry-Cotter, which will be making its debut in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Alongside these giants are URM Group, Moneypenny, No Limit, Whisper, and Willow, forming a highly competitive lineup among the largest boats in this year's race. With such a formidable field, the stage is set for an intense battle as each team vies for victory.

Last year’s overall winner, Alive, is yet to officially enter but is eagerly anticipating defending its Overall title.

Alive working its way around Tasman Island

International Entrants

The global appeal of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race remains strong, with many international entrants finding their way to Sydney ahead of Boxing Day. Yachts from countries including the USA, New Zealand, France and Hong Kong have already registered, adding to the event’s reputation as one of the premier ocean races on the international calendar. These crews, many of whom have extensive offshore racing experience, are preparing to take on the unique challenges of Australia’s east coast and the treacherous conditions of the Bass Strait.

Among the five international entrants is Caro, returning for its third journey south. A new contender on the scene is Bacchanal, a new, locally-built JPK 11.80 to be based in the United States, making its Rolex Sydney Hobart debut. Another JPK 11.80, Cocody from France, is currently sailing towards Sydney in preparation for the race. Owner Richard Fromentin, buoyed by Cocody’s success in the RORC Transatlantic Race—where it finished first in IRC One and second under IRC Overall—has decided it's time to take on the challenge of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.