Protest to decide Sydney Hobart title

Hobart, Australia (December 30, 2021) – While the overall results are far from firm for the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, a protest between the two top teams may determine the overall victory and the prestigious Tattersall Cup.

At the top of the standings today as of 4:30am AET is the TP52 Celestial owned by Sam Haynes, with Matt Allen’s Botin 52 corrected next by three minutes. But a protest by Allen against Haynes, along with a Race Committee protest against Haynes, may trump what occurred on the course.

An International Jury will hear the cases in the Boardroom at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and via Zoom at 4:00pm on December 30, 2021.

Both protests refer to Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Sailing Instructions 31.4 which states: ‘All boats shall maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 16 for the duration of their race.’

The protest by the Race Committee contends SI 31.4 was not complied with over a 90-minute period. To read protest form, click here.

Race details – Results – Tracking – Facebook

The 628 nm Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will be the 76th edition in 2021 with a fleet of 88 boats that include three international entries. One hundred fifty seven teams set off in 2019 for the 75th edition, but since then the 2020 race was cancelled due to the pandemic and uncertainty has hovered this year.

From the start in Sydney Harbour, the fleet sails out into the Tasman Sea, down the south-east coast of mainland Australia, across Bass Strait (which divides the mainland from the island State of Tasmania), then down the east coast of Tasmania. At Tasman Island the fleet turns right into Storm Bay for the final sail up the Derwent River to the historic port city of Hobart.

Source: RSHYR