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The Biggest Sailing Race You've Never Heard Of

12/27/2016

7 Comments

 
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 Sailing from Sydney to Hobart

One of Australia’s marquee sporting events is the Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht race. It’s uncommon to see a sailing event capture the attention and imagination of the country in Australia, but this race attracts huge media coverage and fanfare every year over the summer months. ​

The History of the Special Event

The race starts in Sydney on Boxing day and finishes in Hobart, Tasmania. It is an offshore race with a course of 630 nautical miles. The Sydney to Hobart has grown in prominence over the decades and today it is considered to be one of the top three offshore races in the world attracting the best domestic and international crews to compete. The inaugural race took place in 1945 and today the event attracts a huge fleet with different classes. Nevertheless the maxi yachts are still the dominant vessels and the current record held by Wild Oats XI is 1 day, 18 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds. With various classes in the field and a handicap system in place, the first boat to cross the line may not always be the overall winner and this adds to the race's intrigue. ​

Huge Support

The timing of the sailing event is key to the race’s success with fans. Boxing day is a traditionally fun and relaxed day in the Australian calendar and it’s a summer public holiday too. The race starts in Sydney harbor, which can be extremely busy with boat traffic on a normal day. Flanked by numerous spectator boats and thousands of people lining the shoreline to catch a glimpse of the action, the fleet gathers within the heads of the harbor and prepares to set out towards Hobart. ​

Past Winners

Wild Oats XI is the most decorated boat in race history and the holder of the current race record. The boat broke its own record in 2012 by 13 minutes and is the only boat to have claimed the treble twice - line honors, overall winner and the race record. ​
7 Comments
kar
12/28/2016 06:30:36 am

Really I have never heard about this race, It is very successful project, that alive since1945.

Reply
Sakar Bhusal link
1/1/2017 05:41:25 am

Wow! being in America, I did not know much about the sports scene in Australia until I went through this blog. It was interesting to learn about ''the biggest sailing race'', including its history!

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Sakar Bhusal link
1/1/2017 05:43:56 am

Being from America, I did not really know the exciting sports scene of Australia, until I went through this blog. It was really interesting to learn about the ''biggest sailing event'', Sailing from Sydney to Hobart and its historical significance!

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Mitchell L
1/1/2017 10:00:34 pm

As someone who is new to sailing this is one event that really peaks my interest. What an event that must be, I hope that one day I can be a part of the fanfare. Great write up!

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Greg C
1/3/2017 04:29:54 pm

Sailing from Sydney to Hobart... .what an adventure! I cannot imagine the scenery one would experience during such a challenging sail. Makes me want to visit Australia and Tasmania!

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Greg C
1/3/2017 04:30:59 pm

Sailing from Sydney to Hobart, now that would be an adventure! I cannot imagine the amazing scenery to be viewed on this challenging sail. Makes me want to visit Australia and Tasmania!!

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June Lisle
1/8/2017 10:53:22 am

I couldn't imagine racing for so long in any form. I didn't realize that they held such epic sailing races but I think it would be kind of fun to watch for a while. I am also enjoying the picture. It seems like kind of a dangerous race.

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    Cameron Poetzscher

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    Cameron Poetzscher is a Harvard Business School graduate with extensive M&A, business strategy and operations experience.
    He is the VP of Corporate Development at Uber, and is passionate about sport.

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