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As the 80th anniversary of the iconic Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race approaches, Sails spoke with Dave Lyall, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) about the anticipation building ahead of this milestone event, special celebrations planned, race entries and how to enjoy this uniquely Australian spectacular wherever you are on Boxing Day 2025.

For the 80th edition, what does CYCA have planned to honour the occasion?

This year the CYCA is marking the historic 80th race by elevating every part of the organisation and festivities surrounding the race. We have more social events for Members, Owners, Skippers, Sailors and guests. Our Sydney Race Village will be open throughout December and will be better than ever.

Our media coverage and storytelling have begun earlier than ever and we will supported by a fantastic broadcast partner in Nine for Boxing Day. The action of the water of course will also be unbelievable.

Will coverage feature any special documentary this year?

There are no plans for a special documentary, but we have and will feature some great content on our social channels and website, including a series looking back at every decade of the Great Race South. Check it out!

How many yachts registered so far?

120 as of 8 October 2025.

How many are you hoping for?

130+ would be a good estimate. Entries close on October 24.

Have there been any extra special entries – classic yachts, smallest, largest?

It’s hard to single out too many at this stage but there will be plenty of classic yachts and everything from about 30-feet all the way up to the maxis at 100-feet.

This year we will have a Cruising Division for the first time for some of the more luxurious yachts. One of the more special entries so far is Maritimo Katwinchar, which was launched in 1904, some 41 years before the first Sydney Hobart!

Any noteworthy entries, celebrities, sporting identities, Olympians this year?

There are plenty of elite owners, skippers and sailors from all over Australia and the world entered, but skippers have until late November to announce their crew and that’s when the excitement will peak around just who has picked up a ride south with whom.

What makes the RSHYR so cherished in the Australian sporting annals?

Few events capture the spirit of Australian sport quite like the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. Since its humble beginnings in 1945, the 628-nautical mile Bluewater Classic that begins on Sydney Harbour amidst much fervour, has evolved into a symbol of endurance, mateship and adventure.

It’s the ocean-going equivalent of the Melbourne Cup or the AFL Grand Final, steeped in tradition, watched by millions, and capable of producing stories that define generations.

From record-breaking maxis to tenacious Corinthian crews in family-built yachts, the race embodies the Australian values of courage, teamwork and respect for the elements.

How does it appeal to people beyond the sailing fraternity?

You don’t need to know a jib from a spinnaker to be captivated by the Rolex Sydney Hobart! The race has become appointment viewing with families across the country and around the world making watching the start on Boxing Day part of their holiday tradition.

Whether you are watching Nine’s live broadcast on television, lining the shores of Sydney Harbour or bobbing around on a boat of your own, the drama unfolds in real time, from the spectacle of the start to the triumphs and heartbreaks at sea.

At its heart, it’s a story of people: sailors pushing themselves to the limit against nature and time.

It’s also a sporting adventure that transcends yacht clubs and is as much a story about challenge, mateship and the pursuit of something extraordinary.

How can people enjoy the Boxing Day start? What are the options this year?

The start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart is one of the most thrilling sights in world sport, and there are plenty of ways to experience it. On Boxing Day, 26 December, Sydney Harbour transforms into a grand amphitheatre.

On the water: Spectator craft can view the race from designated exclusion zones that are almost close enough to feel the spray as the fleet charges out of the Heads in four waves.

On land: Favourite vantage points, all offering panoramic views, include Bradleys Head, North Head, South Head, Nielsen Park and just about anywhere else on the eastern and southern sides of Sydney Harbour. The CYCA is open too with an abundance of big screens and its Sydney Race Village and Clubhouse serving cold drinks and exquisite food.

On screen: The start will again be broadcast live on Nine and streamed via 9Now and the CYCA’s official channels, allowing fans across Australia and overseas to share in the spectacle.

Whether from a picnic blanket, a private boat, or the couch at home, the sight of more than 130 yachts powering toward the Tasman Sea remains an unmissable Boxing Day ritual.

What about in Hobart? Why are the celebrations worth the visit?

Arriving in Hobart is as much a reward for the sailors as it is a celebration for the city. The Hobart waterfront bursts into life as the first boats cross the finish line at Constitution Dock, often greeted by cheering crowds and live music at the Hobart Race Village.

The Taste of Summer Festival coincides with the Race, creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere that extends well into the New Year. It’s where sailors swap sea stories over a cold Tasmanian beer, families soak up the atmosphere, and visitors experience the very best of Hobart’s hospitality.

For anyone seeking a uniquely Australian celebration of sport, community and summer, there’s nothing quite like being on Constitution dock when the fleet comes home.

rolexsydneyhobart.com
cyca.com.au