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.
Written by Steve Dettre/RSHYR media
Photography by Andrea Francolini
28 December 2025
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Charged with history and anticipation, the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race set sail on Boxing Day, marking eight decades of tradition and fierce competition.
A fleet of 128 yachts gathered at the start to be greeted by overcast skies and a strong southerly breeze, which conspired to create a dramatic send-off.
As the fleet entered open water, a heavy sea state tested crews immediately—a preview of what was forecast to be a demanding first 24 hours.
From the professional teams aboard the five 100-foot maxis to the more Corinthian sailors and two-handed crews, all competitors are expected to face relentless upwind conditions in the opening stages of the race.
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Title Sponsor since 2002, the partnership which Rolex enjoys with the race and its organizer, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, forms a key cornerstone of the Swiss watchmaker’s near 70-year association with yachting.
Time & Date: 27/12/2025 – 1830 hours (29.5 hours after start)
The good news came from Antipodes, which late on Saturday afternoon was pressing toward Bass Strait in demanding but manageable conditions, with crew morale intact and the boat in sound shape.
Reporting from just 1 nautical mile north of Green Cape, driver and tactician, Brad Kellett, said the Santa Cruz 72 was holding together well after a punishing stretch of weather.
“The boss (Geoff Hill) is in good spirits, the yacht is in seaworthy condition, the crew are happy and healthy, the batteries are charged and Alan (Tillyer, the navigator) is about to report in to say we are continuing the great race,” Kellett said.
Conditions have been challenging. Antipodes has spent much of the day in 25 to 30 knots of southerly breeze, layered over a large south-west Bass Strait swell and a short, steep sea.
“It’s a bit bouncy with plenty of water over the deck and plenty of time for the bow to get airborne,” Kellett said. “The forecast is for conditions to ease before sunset, which should see us through the worst of the southerly breeze.”
For others, the timing was far less kind.
The bad news came with the retirement of the highly fancied URM Group, which was forced to retire after sustaining bulkhead damage in heavy seas.
Anthony Johnston, who owns the yacht with his brother David (his other three brothers are also on board), said the decision came just as the yacht was nearing the back edge of the weather system.
We were just about out of that front — we probably had about two hours of sailing to go and we would have had a shot at Celestial,” Johnston said. “We were in touch, but we damaged the bulkhead from going over the waves, so we had to pull out.”
URM Group is now making its way to Eden where the crew plan to spend the night.
The New Zealand entry, Vixen Racing, skippered by Olympian Sharon Ferris-Choat, has also retired after a crew member suffered a rib injury.
While the injury was enough to end the campaign, the crew is reported to be otherwise well, with the yacht returning to Sydney and expected to arrive around 10am on Sunday.
Annika and Ian Thomson’s Ocean Crusaders J-Bird was forced to retire due to hull damage. All crew are safe and en route back to port. The most recent retirement is the Double Handed entry Avalanche (James Francis and James Murchison) which has retired due to charging issues.
The latest retirements bring the total to 17 yachts, leaving 111 still racing, as the fleet continues to funnel toward Bass Strait.
Conditions are forecast to ease, giving the fleet a reprieve from the southerly pounding.
Follow the Race via the official tracker.
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