Hill joins commentary
Matt Hill joins Sydney Hobart commentary team for this year’s edition.
Photography by CYCA Media/Salty Dingo
03 September 2026
Advertisement
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has confirmed its multi-platform commentary team for the 2026 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with leading sports broadcaster Matt Hill joining the line-up for the first time.
Hill, widely known as the voice of the Melbourne Cup, will join veteran sailing commentator Peter Shipway, Olympic medallists Olivia Price and Lisa Darmanin, and two-time America’s Cup-winning skipper Jimmy Spithill for coverage of the Boxing Day start.
The 2026 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race broadcast will screen on Nine, the 9Now app and CYCATV via YouTube, with coverage beginning at 12.30 pm ahead of the 1 pm race start.
Advertisement
Hill joins the team following the retirement of veteran commentator Gordon Bray AM after the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart.
An experienced broadcaster across horse racing, AFL, the Olympic Games and tennis, Hill is due to call his 10th Melbourne Cup in November before turning his attention to one of Australia’s best-known offshore yacht races.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia team for the Rolex Sydney Hobart and it’s also a privilege to receive the baton off one of Australia’s most iconic voices in Gordon Bray,” Hill says.
There are few more iconic races in Australia than the Sydney Hobart and to be working with the likes of Peter Shipway, Olivia Price, Lisa Darmanin and of course Jimmy Spithill, who’s one of the biggest names in world sailing, will be an honour.
“I can’t wait to get stuck in and share some of the amazing stories of the entire fleet, from the maxis to the overall contenders and family syndicates racing their own boats.”
Shipway has long been a familiar voice in Australian sailing broadcasts, while Price, Darmanin and Spithill all featured in Nine’s coverage of the race in 2025.
CYCA Commodore David Jacobs says the commentary team brings extensive sailing and broadcasting experience to the event.
Peter, Olivia, Lisa and Jimmy need no introduction to the sailing community and bring our sport into the homes of every Australian on Boxing Day,” Jacobs says. “The addition of Matt Hill will be a familiar voice to many viewers, and we are excited for him to join our team for the summer of sailing.
“Matt is one of Australia’s most versatile and experienced callers, and he is an incredible storyteller.”
Hill, Shipway, Price and Darmanin will also lead the CYCA’s multi-platform production from Hobart from 27 to 31 December.
Coverage will include twice-daily live shows on CYCATV, regular news updates and social media reports as the fleet completes the 628-nautical-mile passage from Sydney Harbour to Hobart.
Hill, Shipway and Price will also provide live CYCATV commentary for the start of the Cabbage Tree Island Race on 4 December and the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on 8 December.
The Boxing Day Rolex Sydney Hobart broadcast will be produced by Gravity Media, while Hype TV will lead the CYCA’s Hobart production. Sail Media will deliver coverage of the Cabbage Tree Island Race and SOLAS Big Boat Challenge.
-
Advertisement
-
Advertisement
-
Advertisement
