1978 Race Recap
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Love & War, 2 time Overall Winner in 1978
Hitachi Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 1978
Race Program
Prior to each race Cruising Yacht Club of Australia publishes a separate official race program (with details of competing boats, the results of past races and articles about the race and its participants and other important events). The 1978 Edition is here.
Weather
The race started in 12-15 knots from the NE with rain. The wind gradually freshened the first afternoon to 30 knots to give the yachts a fast passage past Jervis Bay. The hard running conditions were taking toll of spinnakers and gear and two boats broke booms and retired.
A light sou-westerly change passed over the fleet at 2400 hours and turned SE 10-15 knots later in the day leaving the yachts close hauled towards Gabo Island. Overnight the seven leaders put more than 80 miles on the rest of the fleet. The light westerly (5-10 knots) then took the bulk of the fleet across Bass Strait with many calm patches. The leaders continued to extend their lead. A southerly change passed through on the third night lasting only 6 hours. A freshening nor-easter of 15 knots took the yachts down the Tasmanian coast. It died during the night.
In Storm Bay most yachts found light and variable conditions with the river producing fitful breezes. Once the leaders finished the rest of the fleet experienced frustrating calms down the Tasmanian coast and in Storm Bay.
Race reports
After each race, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's magazine Offshore contains reports and articles on the race. Read on to access them.