The Sydney-Hobart yacht race is on but it will be a very different welcome to the finish this year
It will be a very different welcome for crews in this year’s 628nm blue water classic. Here’s how the 76th Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race might look>>
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IT’S full steam ahead for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race this year as local officials prepare to meet with Premier Peter Gutwein for risk mitigation planning and potential social restrictions on Hobart’s waterfront when they arrive.
The coronavirus pandemic will make the race a different equation this year, with everything from a crowd ban on Kings Pier where the fleet berths, to yachts crossing the finish line and being sent straight home, options being touted by those not in the know.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia opened entries for the 76th race on Friday, and its Hobart partner, the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, is preparing for its role as finish co-ordinator.
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RYCT boss Tracy Matthews said her team would brief the state’s new Premier on the club’s role in preparing for the Sydney-Hobart and investigate all precautions that needed to be taken.
“We will be speaking with the Premier and Hobart City Council in terms of what the waterfront may look like by then and start thinking about risk mitigation and considering different scenarios and what they mean,” Matthews said.
“This far out, it is being approached cautiously as business as usual.
“The only difference this year is that if someone enters and the race does not go ahead they will get a refund of their entry fee.”
Matthews said it was a “normal” meeting with the Premier about the race with the addition of potential coronavirus measures and Public Health advice.
“Of course on the agenda this year will be not only be a briefing to him on what historically has been the Premier’s role in the race in terms of meet-and-greets, functions and presentations,” Matthew said.
“But also discussions about the ongoing support of the State Government, which is much-appreciated, and the potential impact of any Covid-19 restrictions.
“That will be between the Commodores and managers of the yacht clubs.”
After 157 yachts competed in the 75th anniversary race last summer, a field of less than 100 is expected this year.
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