THE RACE | AT A GLANCE

What: 74th Sydney to Hobart yacht race

When: Starts December 26 at 1pm on Sydney Harbour.

Who: A fleet in excess of 80 yachts, including 13 international entries, an all-woman crew, four former line honours winners, and ranging in size from 30 feet to 100 feet.

History: The race was started as a cruise to Hobart in 1945 with just nine yachts taking up the challenge. It is now recognised as one of the toughest and most prestigious ocean races in the world.

Prizemoney: It’s for love, not money. The only reward is a piece of silverware if you win and personal satisfaction.

Distance: The race is 628 nautical miles but crews will cover significantly more ground as they tack and gybe, run and reach their way south according to the wind direction and current.

The course: From a start line near Shark Island on Sydney Harbour, the fleet will sail out past Sydney Heads and then down the NSW south coast, across Bass Strait, down the east coast of Tasmania to the finish line off Battery Point on the Derwent River in Hobart.

Defending champions: The Jim Cooney-skippered 100-footer Comanche is the line honours defender and Matt Allen’s 52-footer Ichi Ban the current overall handicap champion.

Most wins: Wild Oats XI has recorded the most line honours victories (8). Freya (NSW) and Love & War (NSW) have the most handicap wins (3 each).