Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
The International Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (official Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in Australia as Blue Water Classic known ) is considered one of the toughest ocean races in the world. It is held annually since 1945 and traditionally on 26 December ( Boxing Day ) started. Host is the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia ( CYCA ). The fastest boats leave the regatta course at the present time back in one to two days.
Stretch
The regatta will be sailed ahead of Australia between Sydney (New South Wales) and Hobart ( Tasmania ) and has a length of 628 nautical miles ( 1163 km ). The route from Sydney on Eden along the Tasman Sea across Bass Strait and the Tasmanian coast through Storm Bay and up the Derwent River to the finish line before Hobart.
History
Due to the dangerous nature of the weather, many sailors have lost their lives. In 1998, one of the most terrible storms with wind gusts of up to 80 knots ( 150 km / h) raged, came six crew members died; several yachts had to be abandoned.
Record development
The first winning yacht Rani required 1945, more than 6.5 days. In 1975, the U.S. maxi yacht Kialoa first yacht the target in Hobart already under three days in 2 days, 14 hours, 36 minutes and 56 seconds. This record had on hand for the next 21 years before he was undercut by the German maxi yacht Morning Glory (length 80 feet ) in 1996 with a time of 2 days, 14 hours, 7 minutes and 10 seconds.
In the 55th edition of the race in 1999, remained with Nokia for the first time a yacht under 2 days. However, the current record time holds the Australian super-maxi yacht Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards and with owner Robert Oatley. In 2005 she sailed before more than 400,000 spectators after 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds to the finish line in Hobart and in 2012 it improved its own record again by almost 17 minutes now 1 day 18 hours 23 minutes and 12 seconds.
The most recent editions
With victories from 2005 to 2007 managed the Wild Oats XI, the second hat-trick in the history of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. This was only the yacht Morna by Claude Plowman previously succeeded in the years 1946 to 1948.
While Wild Oats XI also won in 2008, 2010 and 2012, thus a total of six times, but the record for most Line Honours Winner wins keeps the yacht Morna (later renamed Kurrewa IV ) which satisfy the requirements 1946-1948, 1954, 1956, 1957 and 1960 decided for themselves.
In 2009, Alfa Romeo II won under Neville Crichton two hours ahead of the Wild Oats XI. A year later the target before Hobart reached the Wild Oats XI in the 66th Sydney to Hobart yacht race again as the first yacht ( Line Honours Winner ) after 2 days, 7 hours, 37 minutes and 20 seconds, under its skipper Mark Richards. 2011 there was one of the most exciting decision made since the regatta. Investec Loyal beat Wild Oats XI favorites and came up with a minimal oceanic conditions lead of just 3:08 minutes in Hobart.