Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Boxing Day was spent out on the harbour sending off the yachts racing down to Hobart in the famous Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht race...one of the most famous and difficult yacht races in the world.

Pre-race...boats demonstrating their storm sails

The morning was wet and overcast but hundreds of boats still gathered in the harbour to cheer on the sailors. It was pretty spectacular to watch the 87 boats race out of the harbour and all of the spectators cheering on.

Our crew took our sailboat out past the heads and sailed down with the fleet out a few miles.

Boats sailing off towards Tasmania

The majesty and speed of the super maxi's amazed me. I had only a few seconds to snap shots of the Wild Thing (the 98-foot yacht our friend Rusty is racing...you can see him hanging of the bow in the photo below) before she sped past us (and at this point we were still under motor; because of restrictions spectator boats were not allowed to put up sails until they were clear out of the harbour).

Wild Thing

Wild Thing racing into the horizon...you can make out Wild Oats XI on the right

GO WILD THING!!!