Fingers crossed for 2021 Sydney Hobart

Published on October 29th, 2021

The stage is set for the return of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race with a fleet of 112 boats confirmed by the deadline for the 2021 edition of the 628nm iconic race. A fleet of 157 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.

Among the 2021 entrants is Matt Allen’s Botin 52 Ichi Ban, the 2017 and 2019 winner of the Tattersall Cup, which honors the overall winner on handicap.

Three super maxis are tipped to battle for the John H Illingworth Challenge Cup as line honors winner, with Peter Harburg’s RP100 Black Jack, Seng Huang Lee’s Dovell 100 SHK Scallywag and Christian Beck’s Juan-K 100 which will soon be rebranded (formerly Infotrack and winner of line honours in 2016 as Perpetual Loyal) part of the line-up.

The introduction of shorthanded racing for the 2021 race has attracted 24 crews of two look to be crowned as the inaugural winner of the Two-Handed Division.

“I commend competitors and race supporters for their cooperation and support, which will ensure we can run a COVIDSafe race,” said Noel Cornish AM, Commodore of race organiser Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. “The CYCA is in ongoing discussions with the New South Wales and Tasmanian Governments, and will comply with any COVID-19 restrictions put in place for the safety of competitors and spectators.”

Race details – Entry list – Facebook

The 628nm Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will be the 76th edition in 2021. From 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.