Sydney Hobart tops off big summer ahead

HOBART’S expanding fleet of racing yachts have a bonanza of competition lined up for the summer season of 2019-20.

Club social twilights, midweek and shorthanded racing to combined club summer pennants, international competition and offshore races are set to light up the water.

The highlight will be the finish of the Rolex 75th Sydney Hobart Yacht Race at the end of December with a fleet of up to 150 boats expected, followed by the Australian Yachting Championships on the River Derwent, D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Storm Bay.

Current entries for the Sydney Hobart exceed 140, including 15 Tasmanian yachts, the biggest contingent since the 50th Sydney Hobart. With the Melbourne to Hobart and Launceston Hobart races continuing to attract good fleets, close to 200 ocean racing yachts will need to find berths around Sullivan’s Cove in late December to early January.

A large number of these yachts, including overseas entries, expected to remain in Hobart for the prestigious Australian Yachting Championships from January 3-5 while the King of Derwent on January 2 looks certain to see the biggest fleet in years.

International entries are also expected for the Prince Philip Cup Australian championship for the International Dragon class, also being sailed on the Derwent in early January. The SB20 sports boat class will hold two Australian championships on the Derwent, the 2019 Nationals over the weekend of November 1-3 as part of the BMW Showdown, and the 2020 Nationals over the weekend of March 7-9.

The inaugural Tasmanian Yachting Championship is on November 30, aimed at preparing local boats and crews for the Australian Yachting Championships. Race days have been allocated around the traditional regattas/races in southern Tasmania each year: Maria Island Race, Bruny Island Race and Crown Series Regatta.