Organisers cancel 2020 Sydney to Hobart yacht race because of Covid risks

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been cancelled because of Tasmania’s COVID quarantine.

‘An enormous pity,’ says Matt Allen, skipper and owner of Ichi Ban, seen on Sydney Harbour last June. The yacht was overall winner of last year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Picture: Ryan Osland

The world-famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race is off for 2020, dead in the water after the Tasmanian Government announced travellers from Greater Sydney would need to quarantine for two weeks on arrival in the wake of the growing COVID-19 cluster in the Northern Beaches region.

The quarantine rule effectively ended any hope the Sydney to Hobart could go ahead as planned at 1pm on Boxing Day as it has for the past 75 years.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia confirmed just after 9pm on Saturday night the 2020 race was cancelled.

“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,’’ CYCA Commodore Noel Cornish said.

“We were so well prepared to run the race and we’re only six days from the start. This is the first time in 76 years that the race will not be conducted”.

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.

“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,’’ multiple winner and Ichi Ban skipper Matt Allen said.

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

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.’’

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