80 Years of Grit: Record Fleet and Sporting Legends Ready for Landmark Rolex Sydney Hobart
By Sydney Times Sports Desk Saturday, December 20, 2025
RUSHCUTTERS BAY — The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) today officially launched the 80th anniversary edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, revealing a “monster” fleet and a lineup of sporting icons set to tackle the 628-nautical-mile “Great Race South.”
With just six days until the Boxing Day start, the CYCA Clubhouse at Rushcutters Bay was a hive of activity as skippers and navigators gathered for the final pre-race briefing. This year’s fleet has swelled to 142 entrants, the second-largest starting lineup this century, reflecting the immense prestige of the 80th milestone.
“Thorpedo” Dives into Blue Water
In a surprise move that has captivated the sporting world, five-time Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe was confirmed as a crew member on board the Supermaxi LawConnect.
“Thorpedo” will trade the pool for the Tasman Sea, joining Christian Beck’s crew as they chase a historic “hat-trick” of Line Honours wins.”I’ve spent my life in the water, but this is a completely different beast,” Thorpe said at the launch. “The endurance and teamwork required in this race is legendary, and I’m honored to be part of the LawConnect team for such a special anniversary.”
The Battle of the Supermaxis
The 100-foot Supermaxi division is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history. Five “grand prix” maxis will lead the charge out of Sydney Heads:
-
LawConnect: Defending back-to-back Line Honours champion, aiming for three in a row.
-
Master Lock Comanche: Widely considered the fastest yacht in the fleet and the favorite after a dominant win in the recent SOLAS Big Boat Challenge.
-
Palm Beach XI: The legendary Wild Oats XI reborn. Under Mark Richards and new ownership, the boat has undergone a massive 165-day transformation featuring new foils and a deeper keel.
-
SHK Scallywag: David Witt returns with the Hong Kong entry, hungry for a victory that has narrowly eluded them in past years.
-
Wild Thing 100: Grant Wharington’s modified speed machine, showing strong form after winning the Sydney Gold Coast race.
A Celebration of History
To honor 80 years of racing, the CYCA has introduced special IRC Grand Veterans and Veterans divisions.
-
The Oldest Warrior: The 33-foot Katwinchar, built in 1904, returns to the fleet. It is the oldest boat to ever compete and is led by sailing master Michael “Spiesy” Spies, who is marking his 47th Sydney Hobart start.
-
The All-Female Entry: Elizabeth Tucker will skipper First Light, the only all-women entry in the 80th edition, emphasizing a collaborative “flat hierarchy” on board.
Tactical Forecast: A “Navigator’s Race”
Early weather forecasts suggest the 80th edition won’t be a straightforward “drag race.” Veteran navigator Adrienne Cahalan, embarking on her 33rd race on the Dutch entry Aragon, warned that light and variable winds could dominate the first 24 hours.
“It’s looking like a very tactical opening phase,” Cahalan noted. “With the new technology like Starlink we have more data than ever, but in light winds, it still comes down to intuition and reading the water.”
