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Look Out for the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Each year on December 26, Boxing Day (Sydney, Australia, time), Australian sailors ‘turn on the telly’ to watch the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. This year, 94 yachts of varying sizes and pedigrees have registered to begin the race. The sight of almost 100 sailboats and dozens of official boats, press boats and well-wishers on Sydney Harbour is a spectacular sight.

Here in the US, we won’t have access to the same media coverage that they will in Australia, but according to the race website, we’ll be able to watch the start, live.

Rolex Sydney Hobart
The 628-nautical-mile course has often been described as “the most grueling long ocean race in the world.”
© 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017
After crossing the Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, then sailing the length of Tasmania’s east coast, boats will enter the River Derwent to reach the finish line.
© 2021 Rolex / Studio Borlenghi

If you are planning to watch, remember the time difference: Sydney is 19 hours ahead of California. So to view the start you’ll need to set your alarm for 6:00 p.m., Saturday, December 25.

In the meantime, here’s a recap of the 2019 race.

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