Sydney to Hobart yacht race cancelled for first time in 75 years due to COVID outbreak

It’s a world famous race which has seen celebrities and royalty race alongside butchers and teachers in one of sports great challenges. Now the verdict has been delivered on the 76th Sydney to Hobart.

The supermaxi InfoTrack out training in big winds and seas ahead of the Boxing Day race. Pic: Andrea Francolini

The world-famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race is off, stopped in its tracks by a Tasmanian government decision to quarantine arrivals from Greater Sydney for two weeks in the wake of the growing COVID-19 cluster on the northern beaches.

Around 9pm on Saturday - less than a week before the December 26 start of the race - and after long crisis meetings at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the race was officially cancelled for the first time in its long history.

The quarantine rule effectively ended any hope the bluewater classic could go ahead as planned as it has each Boxing Day since 1945.

“We are bitterly disappointed to cancel the race this year especially considering the plans and preparations we had put in place to have a COVID Safe race,’’ said CYCA Commodore Noel Cornish, who contracted coronavirus earlier this year.

“We were so well prepared to run the race and we’re only six days from the start.’’

InfoTrack was one of the favourites in 2020.

The lure of the Sydney to Hobart has in the past attracted future British Prime Minister Edward Heath, billionaires such as Oracle’s Larry Ellison and Netscape founder Jim Clark, Prince Pierre Casiraghi, the grandson of Princess Grace of Monaco, sporting stars including Layne Beachley, Michael Clarke and Anthony Minichiello and TV celebs including Larry Emdur and Karl Stefanovic.

It also claimed world headlines when a deadly storm in 1998 claimed the lives of six sailors and sparked the biggest maritime search and rescue in peacetime Australia.

It was understood the CYCA was to have delayed making a call as late as possible, keen to give the event every opportunity to be run, but the Tasmanian restrictions on Saturday hastened their decision.

“This race is in our blood. It’s a shame, a great pity, but we totally support the Tasmanian Government’s decision and the CYCA’s decision to not have the race,’’ said multiple winner and Ichi Ban skipper Matt Allen.

“The health of society and the containment of the virus is the most important thing.’’

Jim Cooney, skipper of last year’s line honour winner Comanche, is still hoping to convince officials that some form of a race could be run although the club last night ruled this out.

“It’s a great shame,’’ said Cooney, who was racing his 70-footer Willow this year after selling his supermaxi to overseas interests.

“We could race down to Hobart and then do the delivery home and not touch the land.

“I’m happy to keep pushing but I think it's a slim chance.’’

The start of the race attracts big crowds.

A global pandemic has been the only thing able to stop the internationally renown and iconic race going ahead for the first time since the inaugural fleet of nine set sail on December 26 in wooden boats, oilskins and fuelled by a great sense of adventure.

“It’s an enormous pity to see that sort of history end,’’ said Allen, whose yacht Ichi Ban was an overall favourite.

“A week ago it was looking really good. The club has done the right thing in terms of trying to hold the race but if it has to be cancelled so be it.

“The health of people and not spreading the virus is the main thing, more than the operation of a sporting event.’’

The club said alternate races were considered but rejected in line with the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s request that all NSW residents limit their non-essential travel and interactions with others.

Only two supermaxi yachts were racing this year.

Some sailors had suggested the race, celebrating its 76th edition in 2020, could still go ahead if they crossed the finish, were delivered provisions and fuel, and then simply set sail back to their home ports without touching land.

“Safety comes first, but it’s pretty devastating for a lot of people,’’ said Gweillo helmsman Adam Brown, who has been racing to Hobart since his teens.

“Teams have been training for 12 months, some longer. It’s a big investment of money and time for many people who love the race.’’

The Sydney to Hobart is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world, regularly watched by hundreds and thousands from the harbour foreshores and millions on TV in Australia and overseas.

On Friday the race was put in dire straits when Tasmania banned anyone from the northern beaches.

This affected around 150 sailors and numerous yachts in the fleet of 73 which had been expected to set sail on Boxing Day.

Boats of all sizes compete in the race.

Late Saturday Tasmania imposed a 14 day quarantine requirement on all travellers from greater Sydney.

“The timing is just incredible. Two weeks earlier or two weeks later and there might not have been an issue,’’ said Allen, who has done 30 plus races to Hobart.

More than 100 yachts originally expressed interest in racing to Hobart but this number had dropped to just over 70 in recent days.

Yesterday numerous yachts were already planning to withdraw and many interstate sailors had already rushed home to beat border closures.

Further complicating the issue was the need for skippers to replace any crews who reside in the northern beaches area.