2025 Sydney to Hobart yacht race

For the last 79 years, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been run on Boxing Day December 26.

This year the cannon will sound at 1pm, signalling the start of the race once again. The Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race commences on 26 December and ends on January 2 2025

This year there are 107 entrants racing over the 628 nautical mile course.

This is the first year where it is not mandatory for vessels to carry HF radio, although most still do. Radio supporters will no doubt wonder why the basic advantage of HF radio (you can be heard by anyone in an emergency) has been ignored and the cumbersome use of satellite phones and SMS instructions has been adopted. Official race instructions and updates will be sent by SMS to all vessels. Any vessel retiring from the race is expected to call a dedicated mobile phone number.

HF and shortwave radio enthusiasts can still listen to general marine communications by monitoring the following frequencies: 2182, 4125, 6215, 8291, 12290 and 16420Khz.

Weather forecasts for Tasmania at 1130 and 1530AEST (Bureau of Meteorology):

4426 kHz, 8176 kHz, 12365 kHz and 16546 kHz, USB at 1030, 1430 and 1830 AEST daily, 2201 kHz, 6507 kHz, 8176 kHz and 12365 kHz USB at 0230, 0630 and 2230 AEST daily.

Tasmanian maritime radio:

2524 kHz, 4146 kHz, and 6627 kHz USB at 0745, 1345, 1633 and 1903 AEST