LawConnect plays the underdog as brutal conditions threaten Sydney Hobart fleet
Sailors in the Sydney Hobart have been placed on high alert, with officials warning of likely injuries during what is predicted to be a treacherous first night at sea.
Organisers expect multiple early retirements and have reminded skippers they bear ultimate responsibility for the safety of their crews.
Success in this 80th anniversary race requires a calculated trade-off between speed and safety. As 142 yachts prepare for a punishing opening 24 hours, skippers are under no illusions.
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LawConnect returns to the Hobart docks after crossing the finish line to secure back-to-back line honours in the 2024 Sydney Hobart. Getty
When the fleet departs Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day, yachts will punch into strong southerly winds and potentially hazardous surf conditions with waves predicted to peak at six metres.
"It's going to be cold, it's going to be wet, it's going to be bumpy, people are going to get seasick, and there will be incidents, and there probably will be injuries," race director Lee Goddard said during Wednesday's briefing.
"Prepare yourself well for this. There will be retirements not only because of technical breakages, but simply because people are going to get seasick or uncomfortable, et cetera, as well."
Watch the 2025 Sydney to Hobart live and free on 9Now!
While the 100-foot supermaxis are better equipped to power through a heavy head-sea, the battle at the front is as much psychological as it is physical.
LawConnect is chasing a historic hat-trick of line honours titles, yet the team remains surprisingly modest.
Owner Christian Beck publicly conceded that rival Master Lock Comanche is the superior boat.
"We really need just our mate here to keep stuffing up," Beck told media.
However, rival skippers laughed off Beck's underdog narrative.
"As I keep saying, it honestly is a shit box. It looks good because we've won two years, but we've been bloody lucky those times. One, two times before that, too," Beck said.
"They should beat us easily, right? I think that."
Regardless of who secures line honours, they will have to earn it the hard way; the brutal conditions mean Comanche's 2017 race record of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds is unlikely to be broken.
This year, the race will also serve as a moment of national reflection.
As the fleet passes Bondi Beach, 15 boats will release rose petals into the ocean to commemorate the victims of this month's terror attack.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
Frontrunner LawConnect sails down Sydney Harbour during the 2025 Cabbage Tree Island Race. Jeremy Ng via Getty Images
What time does the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race start?
The legendary bluewater classic begins its 80th anniversary run on Sydney Harbour at 1pm AEDT on Friday, December 26.
Who has entered the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?
As it is the 80th anniversary of the race, a massive fleet of 142 yachts have entered — the second-largest field this century.
Headlining the fleet are six 30-metre supermaxis, including defending line honours champion LawConnect, the reborn Palm Beach XI (formerly Wild Oats XI), and the international contender SHK Scallywag.
In the Tattersall Cup battle, defending overall winner Celestial V70 faces off against five other past champions, including the legendary Love & War.
The fleet also highlights the growing double-handed division with 20 entries, alongside a record 17 international boats from as far as Poland and the USA.
What are the different boat classes in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?
The 2025 fleet features a diverse mix of modern machines and historical gems.
Because a supermaxi will always beat a wooden classic to Hobart, rating systems are used to determine the overall winner.
The race is divided in two main ways: by how they are scored (handicap ratings) and by how they are sailed (divisions).
How long is the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?
The official race distance is 628 nautical miles (approximately 1,163 kilometres).
That figure represents the rhumb line — the most direct path from Sydney Harbour to the finish line at Battery Point in Hobart. However, in reality, with crews navigating shifting winds and complex currents, most boats usually cover significantly more ground before reaching the finish.
The fleet head out to sea during the start of the 2024 Sydney to Hobart on Sydney Harbour. Getty
How long does it take to complete the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?
Finishing times vary significantly based on boat size and the weather conditions in the Tasman Sea and Bass Strait. While the fleet average is three to five days, the frontrunners typically battle for line honours in a sprint that lasts roughly 48 hours.
The supermaxis are tipped to reach the Derwent River late Sunday, December 28 or early Monday, December 29, depending on weather conditions.
Where is the best place to watch the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?
Since it's the 80th anniversary of the race, record crowds are expected in both Sydney and Hobart. If you're in Sydney, you have several ways to catch the action.
The best land-based vantage points are along the harbour's edge, with Nielsen Park, Watsons Bay, and South Head offering prime views from the south, while Bradley's Head, Chowder Bay, and North Head provide excellent elevated perspectives from the north.
Thousands of spectator boats will also be in the harbour.
Be sure to stay clear of the exclusion zones marked by yellow buoys and follow all instructions from NSW Maritime.
Find a spot at Battery Point to watch the yachts make their final turn into Sullivans Cove. Head to Kelly's Steps or the waterfront parks.
The fleet depart Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day. Getty
How to watch the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?
For those not on the harbour, you can watch the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race live and free on Nine and 9Now from 12:30pm.
Who is the favourite to win the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?
This year's line honours battle features six supermaxis.
While the weather will most likely be the final judge, betting markets and sailing experts have identified three clear frontrunners: Master Lock Comanche, Palm Beach XI and LawConnect.
Winning the overall handicap trophy largely depends on the weather forecast favouring a specific boat size.
Defending champion Celestial remains a heavy favourite for the Tattersall Cup; the TP52 is looking to become the first boat in decades to secure back-to-back overall victories.
LawConnect and Andoo Comanche go down to the wire in the 2023 Sydney Hobart. Nine
What is the prize for winning the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?
In the Sydney Hobart, the prize is defined by prestige, silverware and bragging rights rather than a paycheque.
Unlike many professional sporting events, there is no prize money for winning the race.
Instead, the crews compete for two of the most coveted trophies in world sailing: The J.H. Illingworth Challenge Trophy (line honours) and The Tattersall Cup (the overall winner).
What is the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race record?
The current race record stands at one day, nine hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds, set by LDV Comanche in 2017.
How can I track the boats in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race record?
The primary tool for most fans is the official race tracker, which goes live just before the race starts. This is available on the official Rolex Sydney Hobart website and mobile app.
