When the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race gets underway on December 26, the 105-boat fleet can expect a fast start according to the latest information from the NSW Bureau of Meteorology. Gabrielle Woodhouse, Senior Meteorologist for the Bureau, said the start of the 628 nm course should feature north easterly winds.

“We’ll see those winds strengthening and potentially getting gale force speeds, particularly along the southern parts of the New South Wales coast on Thursday (Dec. 26),” she said.

However, Woodhouse said there was predicted to be a brisk south westerly change coming through. “This will push across Bass Strait and turn more southerly on the New South Wales coast on Friday morning.

“The exact time is still yet to be determined, but the model consistency at the moment is pretty remarkable, noting that it’s still a few days away and as we see that change come through, we could be seeing some showers, and maybe even the chance of a thunderstorm.”

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Sam Haynes said he was expecting a fast race, but no records. Competing in the race himself on the Volvo Open 70, Celestial V70, he said his boat could potentially do well in the race.

“It’s pretty quick for us. We’re one of the boats which could potentially do okay in this race with the conditions,” he said. “It’s designed for hard reaching and just getting through the front safely is going to be the key part of the race.”

Carl Crafoord of Wild Thing 100 said he was looking forward to first part of the race. “The forecast is pretty clear, and the (prediction) down in the path of the first 12 hours was fantastic,” adding how “the tricky bit will be getting further down the coast.”

Crafoord said their progress would depend on how the forecast pans out.

“It depends if it’s south west or west or north west and depends how far away we can get from the land. So, we believe that we can get a little bit further out and try and use the two boats ahead of us as flags to determine how close we can get back into Tassie.”

James Mayo, co-skipper of Master Lock Comanche, noted how the forecast conditions meant their strategy would be key. “It’s about keeping the boat in one piece, you know, there’s going to be some good rides – and getting there safely – and working through those transitions as we enter Bass Strait and getting through those best as possible.”

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The 2024 Sydney Hobart Race extends 628-nautical miles from Sydney Harbour to Hobart, the state capital of Tasmania. The start on December 26 takes place in the heart of the Australian summer, with 105 yachts set to take on the 79th edition.