Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2017: The who, what, when, where, how and why?
THE who, what, when, where, how and why of the famed Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2017. Fast facts, figures and interesting titbits
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WATCHING the multimillion-dollar Sydney to Hobart fleet jostle for position and the set sail on its annual journey south is as traditional for most Australians on Boxing Day as a BBQ and checking on the cricket scores.
Every year the world-class fleet is lead south by the supermaxis, including the prolific winner Wild Oats X1, and every year one of the smallest or oldest yachts in the fleet brings up the rear.
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If we are lucky, a southerly wind will blow then on their way under colourful spinnaker.
Then, for up to six days — for the smallest and slowest — the fleet will be at sea as they experience the highs and lows of the world famous yacht race.
We take a look at the who, what, when, where, how and why of the Sydney to Hobart.
WHO
A fleet of 107 (subject to change) and in excess of 1000 sailors are contesting the race. A few men and women are professionals but the majority are amateurs, who leave their jobs as doctors, plumbers, pilots, accountants and teachers to pit themselves against the elements.
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This year there is a fleet of 11 Clipper round the world yachts using the Sydney to Hobart as a leg of their race, buoying the numbers of international sailors who will be on the start line.
WHAT
The Sydney to Hobart is considered to be one of the great bluewater classics of the world — and also one of the toughest ocean races due to the conditions often experience crossing the infamous stretch of water know as Bass Strait.
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It’s a race between Sydney Harbour and the finish line on the Derwent River in Hobart, held annually since nine yachts set sail in the first edition back in 1945.
The worst race in history was in 1998 when six men lost their lives.
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WHEN
Since the first race in 1945 the yacht race has always started in Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour.
The start canon fires at 1pm, on December 26, setting the fleet on its way south.
This year the race will be started by sailing legend Gordan Ingate.
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WHERE
The race is between a starting line on Sydney Harbour and a finish line on the Derwent River and in a straight line, covers 628 nautical miles. However, sailors will cover far more than this distance as they head south, tackling and gybing to find the best angle of sail.
The race will see then sail out through Sydney Heads, turn right and race down the NSW coast.
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They will then enter Bass Strait, a notorious body of water where the wind against the waves can whip up tremendous seas and dangerous conditions.
They will then head down the east coast of Tasmania and then up the Derwent River to the finish line off Battery Point Hobart.
HOW
On yachts of various sizes, shapes and ages.
Boats can range in length from the smallest 30-footers to the 100-foot supermaxis.
They can be built from a variety of materials, including aluminium, timber and carbon fibre.
Theses yachts will carry between six and 25 plus crew who will sail, sleep and eat in watch systems all the way south.
The first yacht to make it to Hobart is the line honours winner.
The overall winner is the yacht which claims the race on handicap — a tricky formula which takes into account such things as age, weight, size, sails and antecedence.
WHY
Because they can. Because they want to. Because this is considered one of the great challenges for men and women in ocean racing
It is a way of testing character, testing mettle, experiencing crew camaraderie and being involved in one of the most testing sporting challenges for amateurs and professionals alike.
There is no prize money for winning. Only trophies. And most sailors are unpaid, digging into their own pockets to pay for wet weather gear, safety equipment, special courses, accommodation at either end and food and basics for the voyages.