Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race history & betting preview | 26/12/22

It’s the race that stops the nation.

No, it’s not the Melbourne Cup, ocean racing’s blue water Classic, the Rolex Sydney to Hobart which starts on Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day.

And with favorable winds being forecast, Comanche’s 2017 race record could be under threat.

With the forecast looking very promising for a fast race, bookmakers Neds ($2.40), Play Up.com.au ($1.90), and Ladbrokes.com.au ($1.70) all have Comanche quoted at odds-on to win.

Last year’s line honours winner Black Jack ($4) is back to defend the crown with 120 boats at the starting line at 1 pm (AEDT) on Boxing Day.

The race – considered one of the toughest on water in the world – claimed more than 30 boats last year as the fleet was battered by winds and wild seas. Two sailors had to be hospitalised as a result.

Tough safety precautions and other initiatives were implemented after six people died,, 55 sailors had to be rescued and five boats sank when the fleet sailed into a severe deep depression in Bass Strait in 1998.

The big race hasn’t even started and Martitimo in the TP52 is already out of the race do to damaged equipment.

Most entrants are expecting a fast race if the long-range forecasts prove correct which should set up a tremendous tussle between the big boys in the field, like Comanche, Wild Oats, LawConnect, and 2021 winner Black Jack.

Owner and skipper of last year’s runner-up LawConnect, Christian Beck said changes made to his boat in the past few years would make it better able to compete with the Supermaxis.

“We’ve extended the bowsprit (horizontal mast extending from the bow),” said Beck.

“When it comes to bowsprits, size does matter.”

“It’s all about sail area and if you have a big bowsprit you can catch more wind with a bigger sail.

“We’ve never raced against Wild Oats with the big bowsprit, so we’re pretty confident.”

A cannon blast will send the fleet out of the Sydney Heads, down the east coast to the notorious Bass Strait, and then onto the finish line off Castray Esplanade, Battery Point on the River Derwent some 48 hours later.

This year’s race has attracted eight international entries headed by Black Jack from Monaco and Hamilton Island Wild Oats ($5), looking for a record 10th-line honours after missing the last two years.

Among the boats coming Down Under from all over the world for the 628 nautical mile race are German racer, Online , Great Britain entry Sunrise, USA’s Warrior Won, New Zealand boat Caro, Hungarian entry, Cassiopeia 68, and Eye Candy and Poulpito from New Caledonia.

The Supermaxis or 100-footer boats will be hoping for favorable winds and weather to attack the 2017 race record of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.

Last year’s race was one of the slowest on record but conditions are expected to be a lot better this year, giving navigators a chance to plot a new race record.

Even so, the forecast for fast conditions early with a tailwind down the coast for the first 24 to 36 hours and winds up to 25knots, brings with it an assortment of risks, including capsizing, broken gear, on-boat mishaps and injuries as conditions, especially for the smaller boats, become uncomfortable.

Some of the survival stories told at the end of this great race are inspiring as it often takes a huge toll on humans and boats.

However, the forecast for northerly wins all the way down the east coast put a smile on the faces of boat navigators, especially those aboard the Supermaxis like Comanche and Hamilton Island Wild Oats.

“Strong winds bring big seas so boat management and safety become priorities,” said Patrice’s navigator, Michael Bellingham.

The inaugural Sydney to Hobart yacht race had nine boats and was won by Rani, skippered by John Illingworth.

The race took over six-and-a-half days to complete.

All going well, this year’s winner should be known on Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning.