Westcoaster update

Sailors enjoyed smooth sailing conditions across Bass Strait for their first night at sea in the 53rd Melbourne to Hobart ‘Westcoaster’ Yacht Race.

Line Honours decided

Master Lock Comanche has claimed a hard-fought and emotionally charged victory in the 80th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, prevailing after a race that swung wildly from dominance to dead calm, and from violent seas to a final-day showdown that felt more like a race within a race at the finish.

Battle lines drawn

As the fleet confronted a heavy sea state of 3-metre waves and demanding conditions, there was both relief and disappointment late on Saturday as the Race delivered another reminder of the fine margins between perseverance and withdrawal.

Weather update

A strengthening southerly wind and a notable upgrade in wave height are the key changes competitors face ahead of the start of the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with forecasters warning of a rougher opening phase than earlier briefings suggested.

Words of wisdom

The youngest woman in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, Ali Braden has heard the account of a pioneer in the sport, Victoria Willman who skippered the first all-female crewed entry in 1975.

Forecast favourable

Light and variable winds are shaping as a key feature of this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with early forecasts pointing to a tactical opening phase rather than a flat-out drag race south.