The City Of Sydney has entered into an agreement with Beyond Blue to become the charity partner of Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE) 2025 with an option to extend to NYE2026.
Beyond Blue is one of Australia’s most trusted & visited organisations, offering easily accessible & personalised mental health support for Australians to feel safe, connected and well earlier & to stay that way. In the 2024-2025 financial year, 276,000 people reached out to Beyond Blue. The feedback Beyond Blue receives demonstrated people felt less distressed, able to receive the information they had seeked & were allowed to feel that they were being heard and understood all resulting in them feeling more hopeful as well.
Beyond Blue will be given an online or face-to-face awareness raising campaign opportunity. Other benefits offered to Beyond Blue, subject to City Of Sydney approval, include:
on-site activation support opportunity
speaking opportunities
fundraising opportunity
activities associated with the online or face-to-face awareness raising campaign
marketing material incorporation
general media opportunities
other partners’ opportunities leveraging
To support the work of Beyond Blue, Sydney NYE2025 may produce a paid activity which would be operated by Beyond Blue volunteers. All income would be paid directly to Beyond Blue.
It follows a 3-week expression of interest period between 10th of April and the 1st of May with applicants needing to meet the following criteria:
official registered charity or public benevolent institution
holds insurance reasonably required by the City of Sydney
has an organisational focus that is compatible with City Of Sydney values & explain how this is important for Sydney New Year’s Eve
demonstrated successful online or face-to-face fundraising experience
undertakes work which produces significant community benefit
Beyond Blue met these criteria as they “focus on community & fostering positive, collaborative and inclusive environments, empowering people to proactively take charge and get the support they need”.
An evaluation panel of City Of Sydney Life staff recommended them to the City Of Sydney Community Services & Facilities Committee on the 16th of June, who also unanimously recommended them to the full Council on the 23rd of June, with the Council unanimously approving Beyond Blue the same day. By mid-July, the agreement was then signed between the City Of Sydney Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Beyond Blue, formally allowing them to participate in Sydney NYE2025.
Beyond Blue will provide the City with a written report on activities & issue a joint press release with the City following the successful conclusion of Sydney NYE2025.
On June 23, the City Of Sydney Council also requested the City Of Sydney CEO to provide advice to the Council about ways that the Council could encourage local, small & medium-sized not-for-profit organisations to become Sydney NYE charity partners in the future & to report back via the CEO Update.
New South Wales has lit up for the Day Of National Reflection.
Bondi Pavilion
In the background of a massive temporary floral tribute, Bondi Pavilion was illuminated with surprise projections of 2 blue Chanukiahs as beams of light shone to the sky above it from the courtyard within the Pavilion.
On the ‘Day Of National Reflection’, Sunday 21 December 2025, Bondi Pavilion with projections of 2 blue fully lit Chanukiahs on it behind the temporary floral tribute to the victims of the massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism that occurred 100 metres away just over a week prior. Photograph: Claire via Australian Broadcasting CorporationOn the ‘Day Of National Reflection’, Sunday 21 December 2025, as a projection of a blue fully lit Chanukiah beams onto the building behind them, Bondi Beach’s Jewish community came together in front of Bondi Pavilion to commemorate the victims of the massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism that occurred 100 metres away just over a week prior. Photograph: Claire via Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Sydney Opera House
The biggest surprise though, while not the most significant illumination this time around, was the Sydney Opera House western sails, which was illuminated with an animated waving brightly burning candle by the New South Wales Government.
…we should’ve made the Opera House Forecourt & the immediate precinct an opportunity for the Jewish community to come together. I’m admitting that & the only thing I can say is we…want to learn from it & make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Chris Minns, NSW Premier (quote from 2023)
A key difference in context to 2023 is that this projection wasn’t promoted in advance, thus discouraging possible protests as had occurred in 2023. Earlier this week, the Sydney Opera House was illuminated for Chanukah, a projection which also wasn’t promoted in advance, but a concert which was scheduled to be held in the Southern Forecourt that night & which was cancelled out of respect, would have prevented the Forecourt being reserved for the Jewish community that night anyway, as being set up for a concert, it was very likely logistically not in a position to quickly become an appropriate place of mourning for the Jewish community on that occasion.
There was no such concert yesterday evening & it is understood the Southern Forecourt was vacant this time. An NSW Premier’s Department spokesperson implied the Southern Forecourt wasn’t reserved for the Jewish community as the projection was being held simultaneous to the Night Of Unity: Light Over Darkness Menorah Lighting & Commemoration in Bondi Beach Park, which was the main commemoration being held that night:
The NSW Government has been in close consultation with the Jewish community about how to appropriately honour the victims including decisions made regarding the Day of Reflection.
There was no activation of the forecourt for this illumination, which was occurring at the same time as the Jewish community vigil at Bondi Beach.
NSW Premier’s Department spokesperson
The Night Of Unity: Light Over Darkness Menorah Lighting & Commemoration finished at 9:05pm – just under 3 hours before the Sydney Opera House projection stopped. While the NSW Premier broke a promise, it is understandable that it was likely broken because he understood the Jewish community would prefer to come together in the suburb of Bondi Beach – the location of the massacre & jewish genocide terrorism last week.
Yellow Building Illuminations
Lastly, buildings around New South Wales were also lit yellow, the colour being chosen to represent the main colour of a candle’s flame. The buildings illuminated yellow included:
Sydney Football Stadium
Sydney Cricket Ground
Art Gallery Of NSW
Australian Museum
Sydney Tower
Sydney Town Hall
Tumbalong Park Sound Shell
International Convention Centre
Barangaroo’s International Towers
Manly Town Hall
Sydney Olympic Park including Stadium Australia
Parramatta Square (building)
Western Sydney Stadium
Goulburn Visitor Centre
Orange Cultural Precinct
Wagga Wagga Civic Centre
All the above illuminations occurred from sunset (8:05pm) to Midnight.
Tumbalong Park Sound Shell illuminated yellow for the ‘Day Of National Reflection’, Sunday 21 December 2025. Image: Property NSWOrange Cultural Precinct illuminated yellow for the ‘Day Of National Reflection’, Sunday 21 December 2025. Photograph: Orange City Council
Unlike the Sydney Opera House western sails projection for Chanukah, all these illuminations are in remembrance of the victims of the massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism. Sydney Spectaculars is, therefore, not considering these illuminations as a ‘Spectacular‘.
The New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced that light beams will shine from Bondi Pavilion & buildings around the state will be lit up in yellow as part of the Day Of National Reflection after the massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism in the suburb of Bondi Beach last Sunday.
The Day of National Reflection is being observed today, the final full day of Chanukah, Sunday the 21st of December, with the illuminations being held in the evening. Buildings to be lit yellow include:
Sydney Football Stadium
Sydney Cricket Ground
Art Gallery Of NSW
Australian Museum
Sydney Tower
Sydney Town Hall
Tumbalong Park Sound Shell
International Convention Centre
Barangaroo’s International Towers
Manly Town Hall
Sydney Olympic Park including Stadium Australia
Parramatta Square (building)
Western Sydney Stadium
Goulburn Visitor Centre
Orange Cultural Precinct
Wagga Wagga Civic Centre
The colour yellow was chosen to represent the main colour of a candle’s flame.
Today, the Day Of National Reflection, sunset is at 8:05pm, which is when the Bondi Pavilion light beams & the NSW buildings’ yellow illuminations are expected to begin with it being completely night-time at 9:50pm.
Unlike the Sydney Opera House western sails projection for Chanukah, these illuminations are in remembrance of the victims of the massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism. Sydney Spectaculars is, therefore, not considering this projection as a ‘Spectacular‘.
A drawing of a candle with the words ‘Stronger Together: Unite For Bondi’ is available to share on social media today, the Day Of National Reflection & can be downloaded here.
Obviously as a result of the devastating, the devastating events of Sunday, last Sunday, the New South Wales Government, having worked with the Jewish community of this state, has designated that Sunday will be a Day Of National Reflection to honour the victims of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach & also to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of our country but in particular of our state here in New South Wales so on Sunday, flags on Australian & New South Wales Government buildings will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the lives lost & a shared sense of grief right across the country.
Buildings will be lit up in yellow for the evening. Lights will beam into the sky from Bondi Pavilion.
To contextualise this forecast, we are talking about something that is, uh, 7 or 8 or 9 days ahead of us at the moment. Um, as a result, the uncertainty is high so that contextualises things I’m about to tell you. Um, generally we are looking at similar sort of weather features that are forecast but the timing is a little bit uncertain at the moment.
Edward Townsend-Medlock, Bureau Of Meteorology Forecaster
On December 26, 3 eddies – 1 east of Sydney, Ulladulla & Tasmania respectively – associated with the East Australian Current breaking up well north of Sydney, are forecast to produce north-to-south flows of up to 2.8 to 3.2 kilometres per hour (1.5 to 1.7 knots) during the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, which could play a role in tactics at the start.
The race start is forecast to feature light south-easterly winds in the 9 to 19 kilometre per hour (5 to 10 knot) range which, when combined with these sea flows, will favour tactics rather than a yacht’s designed speed. These winds are driven by a high-pressure system that will be over the Tasman Sea, whose exact position could vary the wind’s strength.
Generated far south-east are “mature” &, combined with the forecasted wind, ” quite organised” swells of 1 to 2 metres at periods of 10 to 13 seconds outside the Sydney Heads.
On the 27th of December, the high-pressure system will then move further east, shifting the winds northerly along the New South Wales coast & reaching 37 to 46 kilometres per hour (20 to 25 knots).
Asked about Bass Strait when the high-pressure system moves east, Edward Townsend-Medlock, Bureau Of Meteorology Forecaster said there the winds will be calm:
Yeah so at that time, the Bass Strait, they are looking at light & variable winds since there isn’t really a, a weather feature coming through that particular area, um, so you can imagine as that high moves to the east, the northerlies along the New South Wales coast but yeah, for the leaders, these, they’re in those light & variable conditions that are, you know, typical of the Bass Strait when there’s, there is no westerly there at that particular moment.
Edward Townsend-Medlock, Bureau Of Meteorology Forecaster
This long-range forecast is only for the 26th & 27th of December.
Further ahead, it’s very difficult to say. Usually a front or 2 will come through & bring some stronger winds through the Bass Strait but it’s far beyond like the forecast skill for the models at the moment so we can really give information on those 1st 2 days of the race.
Edward Townsend-Medlock, Bureau Of Meteorology Forecaster
A major update of the weather forecast will be made on the 24th of December (Christmas Eve) at 9am when a compulsory race briefing is held for all crew members of the non-virtual race.
Navigator Reaction
Alice Tarnawski, XI co-navigator, Chris Wild, Scallywag co-navigator & Adrienne Cahalan, Aragon navigator, all agreed the forecast was favourable for their yachts:
Yes, it’s favourable conditions f, for us. We’re, uh, long & skinny – um, a Marten 72, um, & so, yeah, it should be, should be great for our boat & um, you know, you, you, I, I think one of the great things about this race when you got a forecast like this, is the variety of conditions & uh, the way you handle the transition zone so, um, everybody will have to be on their toes.
Adrienne Cahalan, ‘Aragon’ navigator
Yeah, well, I, I think in a forecast like this where it’s a bit more of a chess match than a, than a drag race, it’s, um, having 2 navigators helps, helps a lot so we divide & conquer.
We’ve had a great campaign in Europe where we’ve sailed the boat in lots of different conditions & had great success & so the team is well, um, well-versed &, & battle-hardened I guess, to, to deal with whatever the for, forecast throws at us so we, we like that.
Chris Wild, ‘Scallywag’ co-navigator
If I could add to that, I am also (a co-navigator) so Stan Honey is coming to join us. He’s our primary navigator & I am his offsider & uh, similar to you, I am really looking forward to having someone to go off and on watch with.
Alice Tarnawski, ‘XI‘ co-navigator
Scallywag will start the Great Race South with refined systems & a stronger yacht but 1 thing that hasn’t changed is its slimness. It’s co-navigator, Chris Wild, said that slimmer yachts like his & Aragon, which as a result of their design have less drag in the water, will benefit from the light winds at the start and in Bass Strait but Scallywag will like any forecast in the end:
We like that sort of scenario & also the design of the boat compared to some of the other super-maxis, um, you know, we’re, we’re a skinny boat as well compared to Comanche and LawConnect, um & that definitely will, will favour us in that, in those light wind conditions that we were talking about in, in Bass Strait.
At that point, when it’s really light & funky, the navigators’ not doing a whole lot. Um, the crew’s really trying to get the boat going so that we can be, you know, getting ready for the next, next part of the race. Yep, yep, it’s up to the sailors at that point.
Chris Wild, ‘Scallywag’ co-navigator
While Chris Wild will find light & “funky” conditions in Bass Strait boring to navigate, for Alice Tarnawski, she implies her XI crew may start to annoy her had she not have a senior navigator to share the duties with on the record-breaking yacht:
Um, you don’t normally get a lot of sleep as a navigator because everyone is always asking you questions or trying to working out where we are in a system & especially with a light, variable forecast like this, everyone’s poking you wanting to know what’s going on so I am really grateful there is going to be someone so experienced sitting beside me & we’ve had a lot of conversations in the last few weeks about how we are going to divide the role up & um, manage the communication between us, um, the sailing team, the tactician & of course, um, Mark Richards, the skipper, so yeah, it’s, it’s pretty cool to have that, um, ability on a, on a big boat to have more than 1 navigator.
Alice Tarnawski, ‘XI‘ co-navigator
Alice Tarnawski answering questions at the Long-Range Weather Forecast Press Conference with, from left to right, Adrienne Cahalan, Chris Wild, Clare Costanzo & David Turton. Photograph: Ashley Dart/Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia
Adrienne Cahalan, whose yacht, Aragon, recently got refitted with a longer keel, heavier bulb, new standing rigging & a new sail range, agrees with Alice in that the light wind of varying directions in Bass Strait will become “hard work” for a single navigator:
It’s nice to see some consistency so early in 2 of the models that, uh, we often use around here & um, f, for, uh, it having that light and variable wind in Bass Strait is going to make it very interesting. It’s going to, ah, be a lot of hard work for the nav, navigators I’d expect.
Adrienne Cahalan, ‘Aragon’ navigator
Regarding the long-range forecast, she said:
It will be nice for many different sizes and types of boats & uh, 1 of the things we’ll be watching very closely is when that front comes through or if it comes through on the 28th because, um, our boat size is 72 foot (22 metres) & we got the 100 footers (31 meters) here so, uh, we will be watching carefully, the, uh, the timing of a front around Tasman Island which will be, you know, determine a lot about how, uh, all the boats go on handicap.
Adrienne Cahalan, ‘Aragon’ navigator
However, Clare Costanzo, navigator for Ambition, isn’t focusing on the 28th of December until at least after the race start:
You can’t really be paying too much attention to the last bit of the race because for us it’s potentially, you know, 2 to 3 days away so a lot of that will be while we are out there, um, on the water watching the other guys for the last bit of the race.
Clare Costanzo, ‘Ambition’ navigator
In the end, David Turton, Wild Thing 100 navigator, whose yacht now has a full-sized 31 metre (100 foot) rig, said regarding why the leaders lead & the winners win:
Always looking at the barometer & the sky & the sat (satellite) pics. That’s, that’s, they’re my 3 go-tos. If all else fails, work it out for yourself.
David Turton, ‘Wild Thing 100‘ navigator
Meanwhile, XI‘s “modifications”, as earlier reported, is an appendage remodelling along with new sails & software:
We’ve got a new processor on the boat. Um, we’ve got new systems. We’ve got a whole bunch of new technology on board & we’re, we’re learning how to sail this boat that’s – amazing so yeah, it’s been a cool process.
The official Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 spectator boating map Image: NSW Government
The main special spectator boating rules/schedule for the event are:
If you’re only watching the start & won’t follow the fleet, position yourself on the western side.
From 11:30am, in the regulated area between Garden Island/Bradley’s Head to the Heads, a maximum speed of 11 kilometres per hour (6 knots) with no wash allowed & all non-competing vessels in the regulated area unhoisting their sails immediately. Competing vessels are exempt from the speed/wash limits inside the regulated area from 12:50pm.
At 12pm, the exclusion zone, which is the race start area, is activated, within which and surrounding it can be no passive craft (see examples below) or anchoring. The only spectator vessel allowed in the exclusion zone is The Jackson, which will have the starting cannon on board at the rear for firing & starting the race.
For safety after the race start (scheduled 1pm), it is advised that small vessels should avoid Sydney Heads or going towards or out of them.
At 2:20pm, normal Harbour operations resume.
Passive craft includes canoes, kayaks, surf skis, paddleboards, sailing dinghies & inflatable rafts and boats.
This announcement was made on December 18.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 – its 80th anniversary – begins at 1pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on the 26th of December, Boxing Day.
All online on your smartphone, join thousands of other virtual racers, alongside the data from the real-life racing fleet, in their attempt to win the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race!
It is free to enter & begins at the same time as the real race – 1pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on the 26th of December!
The virtual Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race has been held since 2017, making this the 9th edition of the Classic Yacht Regatta, having been held in 2020, unlike the main race which was cancelled that year due to COVID-19 pandemic border restrictions for entering Tasmania. It is the only e-sport Sydney Spectacular & as you may tell from above, has more participants than the real race (though notably less spectators!)
To enter, click here for the web browser version or download the Virtual Regatta smartphone application:
Android
Tap the multi-coloured ‘Play Store’ icon.
At the top, in the search bar, type “Virtual Regatta Offshore”.
Tap ‘Install’.
Wait for the application to download.
Once installed, tap ‘Open’ to start the app.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
Look for the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race event.
Register your ‘boat’.
Set up your boat.
Plan your strategy.
Get ready for the start on the 26th of December!
iPhone
Tap the blue ‘App Store’ icon.
At the top, in the search bar, type “Virtual Regatta Offshore”.
Tap the download icon (cloud with a downward arrow) or ‘Get’.
Enter your Apple ID password or use Face/Touch ID if prompted.
Once the app is installed, tap ‘Open’ to launch it.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
Look for the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race event.
Register your ‘boat’.
Set up your boat.
Plan your strategy.
Get ready for the start on the 26th of December!
This whole announcement was made on December 16.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 begins at 1pm AEDT on Friday the 26th of December, Boxing Day.
All times are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
A record 36 yachts will race in the 2025 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race‘s Classic Yacht Regatta.
The Regatta features previous Sydney-Hobart race entrants that launched their yacht over 29 years ago & features 2 events:
Invitational non-spinnaker scratch race, held on Friday 12th December, 2pm, starting off Point Piper &
2-race pointscore series, held in divisions, beginning on Saturday 13th December, 12pm, off Point Piper, with a handicapped pursuit race
Headline entries include:
Margaret Rintoul (1948) – Line Honours winner 1950 & 1951 & set a race record in 1951
Solveig (1950) – 1953 Line Honours winner
Fidelis (1964) – 1966 Line Honours winner
Other notable entries are Love & War (1973) & Tradition (1984), who are also competing in the main race of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race this year.
Kingtail, Wraith of Odin & Maris will also be on display at the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia (CYCA)’s pond (opposite their newly rebuilt Lower Deck) on the 13th & 14th of December outside of Regatta racing hours.
The Sunday 14th December Pointscore SeriesScratch Race Schedule
12pm – Non-Spinnaker Division 2
12:05pm – Non-Spinnaker Division 1
12:10pm – Spinnaker Division 2
12:15pm – Spinnaker Division 1
All the above pointscore series scratch races will begin off Cannae Point. The water in the 183 metres to the west of Cannae Point is the original starting line of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race from back in 1945 when it was called Flagstaff Point.
All Classic Yacht Regatta races are held in the iconic stretch of waterway that features the start of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race & all finish in Rushcutters Bay.
First held in 2019, this will be the 7th edition of the Classic Yacht Regatta, having been held in 2020, unlike the main race which was cancelled that year due to COVID-19 pandemic border restrictions for entering Tasmania. The opening invitational non-spinnaker scratch race was introduced in 2021.
People have lovingly restored these old boats & they’re now in immaculate condition and ready to race.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race is the jewel in the crown for the CYCA. The race contains so much history & this regatta cements that history.
These boats hold some of the greatest stories in Australian yachting. The level of care owners put into restoring & racing them keeps the history of the Sydney-Hobart alive. They are spectacular to watch under sail.
David Champtaloup, CYCA Classic Yacht Committee Chair
Other News
In other news, Comanche won line honours in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, which had a record fleet of 74 yachts, with URM leading the Bass & Flinders Series of the Blue Water Pointscore series after 5 races with 4 points.
Comanche also won line honours in the Australian Maxi Championship including the Big Boat Challenge.
This announcement was made on December 11.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race‘s Classic Yacht Regatta 2025 begins at 2pm AEDT on Friday the 12th of December off Point Piper & ends on Sunday the 14th of December at around 3pm AEDT in Rushcutters Bay. The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 – its 80th anniversary – begins at 1pm AEDT on Friday the 26th of December, Boxing Day, on Sydney Harbour.
All eventualities are being prepared for at the 80th Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race from a 9-times line honours winner going onto a record-breaking 10th line honours victory to a race record being broken for the 1st time since 2017 or the return of rough conditions to the 2nd most important thing after finishing, having your yacht win & of course, the race starting.
Scenario 1: XI Reaches X
For the 1st time since the COVID-19 pandemic, 9-times line honours winner, XI, a Reichel Pugh 30, returns to the Great Race South, aiming for a record-breaking 10th line honours victory. Asked at the race’s media launch how much XI‘s return poses a threat, the skipper of current & 2-time line honours winner, LawConnect, Christian Beck, said:
It’s much harder for us with them there because the problem we’ve got is Comanche is better than us in every way & the same type of boat as us so therefore, if it’s good for us, it’s great for them so what we’d hoped from the last couple of years is conditions that were sort of good for neither of us which means that we’re kind of slower but we’re more competitive than Comanche & that’s sort of happening a little bit with the really rough conditions the last couple of years.
The trouble with, often when it’s, it’s slower, is that it’s good for Wild Oats (XI), right, so the odds of us being able to beat Comanche & Wild Oats (XI) are not very high, um & I think that, you know, like, I’d love to say it’s a better story but the reality is that those 2 teams & I think, obviously, Comanche lost to us twice there. They’re not going to be happy about that situation. The determination there is going to be pretty high. Wild Oats (XI) back with their modifications. They’re probably very good modifications. It’s a very challenging situation.
Christian Beck, ‘LawConnect’ skipper
Christian Beck doesn’t sound confident in beating XI or 3-times line honours winner, Comanche, on line honours, despite beating XI in 2019 for 2nd place by 58 minutes & Comanche after that unforgettable finish in 2023, where he overtook them in the final hundred metres to win line honours by 51 seconds – the 2nd closest finish ever. Last year, Comanche, who are still the current line honours race record holder & could break it again, retired after damaging their mainsail. Regarding XI however, as Christian points out, the Silver Bullet is returning with “modifications”, including a new deeper keel fin and bulb, advanced upwind daggerboards & radical C-foils.
Christian Beck, answering questions, at the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 Media Launch Photograph: Andrea Francolini/Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
Despite his 3 victories (even if 1 was for runner-up) over his 2 competitors in previous editions, he was asked whether he considers LawConnect as an ‘underdog’ for the 3rd straight edition, in response he said:
(laughs) Well, I think it’s true. I mean, it’s not just me. If you look at the betting odds, no one ever gives us a chance of winning.
Christian Beck, ‘LawConnect’ skipper
As of 26 November, betting odds for the 80th edition of the Blue Water Classic were not available. Nevertheless, asked what it would mean to complete only the 3rd hat-trick Line Honours win, he said:
Oh, look, it’d be exceptional like we do feel lucky to win the 2 so, to win 3 would be incredible & I think it’s not impossible.
Christian Beck, ‘LawConnect’ skipper
As Christian Beck said, his yacht will again be more competitive against Comanche at least if rough conditions slowed them down. This leads to our next scenario…
Scenario 2: Rough Conditions Slows The Fleet
Katwinchar returns as, once again, the oldest yacht to enter the race ever. It was built in 1904 – 121 years ago & Michael Spies will co-skipper her once again, after retiring her in last year’s race after damaging her hull but this time, he will sail with a full crew instead of just double-handed. The yacht won the International Rating Certificate (IRC) Grand Veterans division in 2019, which returns this year for the 80th anniversary. Asked if a 10 metre (33-footer) yacht, of which Katwinchar is one, could do the “fairytale” of winning the IRC handicap overall trophy, the George Adams Tattersall Cup, he said:
Well I think (Doctor) Sam’s (Haynes), you know, pointed out, um, no boat has ever won Hobart without winning it’s division 1st so um, I’d like to think that we’re 1 of the better smaller boats here & if it’s a small boat race & they seem to be getting fewer and far & long and between, um – I think the last real small boat was Zeus back in about 81 – but if the planets align & it is a small boat race, well, I’d like to think that our name could come out the hat.
Michael Spies, ‘Katwinchar’ skipper
Michael Spies on board Katwinchar Photograph: Ashley Dart/Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia (CYCA)
Asked what conditions are needed for a “small boat race”, he said:
Well, we need a longer race. I mean, if Christian (Beck) & his will break the race record. It means that, uh, we are owed, they owe us a lot less time. It’s time on time. Um, we need the race to slow down in the middle for the fleet ahead of us at some stage & hopefully we can compress it & you know, I’ve got a theory that to win the Hobart you need 1 sked or a period of the race where you need to at least do as many miles, if not more miles, than the division ahead of you & if that happens, as happened with us in 2003, um, who knows, it might be a fairytale.
Michael Spies, ‘Katwinchar’ skipper
A sked is colloquial for ‘schedule’ referring to the schedule of short message service reports made by the competing yachts of their position, which during the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race is every 12 hours, once from 6:35am-7:35am & the other from 6:35pm-7:35pm. Micheal Spies won the George Adams Tattersall Cup as co-skipper on First National in 2003, though under the International Measurement System handicap. Last year, Katwinchar was in Division 5 of the IRC handicap category but having won a division in 2019, as you can see, Micheal is looking to history for him to win the IRC handicap for the 1st time & the George Adams Tattersall Cup for a 2nd time, which brings up to our 3rd scenario…
Scenario 3: Winning IRC Handicap
Celestial V70 is the current holder of the George Adams Tattersall Cup & therefore, the current winner of the IRC handicap category overall. It is once again being skippered by Doctor (Dr) Sam Haynes. Asked what “the formula for a successful campaign” is, Dr Sam replied:
Yeah, that’s, um, a question that’s, uh, is kind of easy to answer & hard to answer but we try to, you know, spend a lot of time on our preparation for all areas, um, particularly looking at, uh, crew and where they’re going to be positioned on the boat & selecting the crew & um & I’ve been lucky to have a very good crew for a long, for a long time now, um, but getting them into the positions where we can share the workload & everyone can perform at their best.
Um, we do scenario planning. Things like, uh, you know, extreme weather conditions & being able to manage those. Um, we do, uh, quite a lot of safety planning as well so, um, we do some dedicated sessions on that, um & just the general experience of racing the boat. Being able to, uh, get time on the water for the boat is extremely important, um & then, you know, down to the smaller details even down to what kind of food we have on board so that we can just make sure things that we can control we do control as well as possible, um & reduce the amount of unexpected, unexpected and unexpected events but we will end up with a, um, we will end up with, you know, things that will challenge us in every race as you do, um & um, those sort of things that you should but can’t control as well, you should be prepared as we can be for those unexpected events.
Dr Sam Haynes, ‘Celestial V70’ skipper
Dr Sam Haynes sitting next to Adrienne Cahalan with the John H Illingworth Challenge Cup (right), the George Adams Tattersall Cup (left) & a Rolex watch, all in front, at the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 Media Launch Photograph: Andrea Francolini/Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
So to win the IRC handicap category requires getting your crew “into the positions where we can share the workload & everyone can perform at their best” & prepare and try to reduce unexpected events, which is advice Elizabeth Tucker, skipper of 1st Light, a Class 40 yacht, is taking to heart, bringing us to our penultimate scenario…
Scenario 4: Murphy’s Law
In 2027/28, Elizabeth Tucker is competing in the Global Solo Challenge but before taking up ocean racing, she was an accountant for start-ups. Asked whether there is a synergy between accounting & ocean racing, she said:
It’s really challenging to try & work with just the resources that you’ve got to deal with the problems that come up which could be anything that you just have to deal with the unexpected, um, & that’s quite similar to work.
Elizabeth Tucker, ‘1st Light‘ skipper
Asked whether this will also apply to her all-female crew, the only one in this year’s Great Race South, she said:
Um, yes so, I do like to do things a bit differently. I guess trying to sail around the world solo is kind of a bit different, um, but I decided to use the opportunity for my goals to create more sort of a pathway for women in sailing to learn every aspect of the boat, to step out of the normal limited crew role, role that people are often given so, um, every, um, crew member on the boat, I consider a co-skipper, so, they helm, they look at some of the navigation – We do have a dedicated, dedicated navigator – but they really do everything on the boat, more like the double-handed.
Elizabeth Tucker, ‘1st Light’ skipper
Elizabeth Tucker & Maddie Lyons, a fellow crew member, on board 1st Light in the CYCA pond. Photograph: Ashley Dart/CYCA
Asked how an all-female crew changes the dynamics on 1st Light, she replied:
Um, I’m not sure if it’s the all-female but it might be that we’re all approaching it with a shared purpose, so we just want to learn as much as possible, um, not take ourselves too seriously but, um, definitely we’re, we’re in it to compete & we’re in it to get there, um & I think that creates a really nice atmosphere. Um, everybody’s very collaboratively & um, has a voice & so that’s what makes it different, I think, to quite a lot of crews that, um, are perhaps a bit more competitively & are more refined in their – Yeah, they’ve got their pros on board that know exactly what they’re doing whereas we’re all working it out together.
Elizabeth Tucker, ‘1st Light‘ skipper
1 crew, already facing a challenge with limited resources, is the crew of Aragon, a Marten 72 yacht, who are already facing an English-Dutch language barrier & only 1 crew member who is bilingual in both languages. Just like 1st Light & all other yachts, they will have a dedicated navigator, who for them will be Adrienne Cahalan, the most decorated female competitor in the race’s history with 32 race starts, the most by a woman, the most line-honours victories by a woman, 6 & the most handicap overall victories, 3. She also co-authored the review into last edition’s tragic events. Her, the rest of Aragon‘s crew & just about everyone else, whether you are a competing crew member or not, are all preparing for 1 eventuality: the race start.
Adrienne Cahalan at the CYCA Marina Photograph: Ashley Dart/CYCA
Scenario 5: The Race Starts
For the race start, Aragon recently got refitted with a longer keel, heavier bulb & new standing rigging as well as a range of new sails. Talking about the crew of Aragon & the lead-up to this year’s Blue Water Classic, Adrienne Cahalan said:
It’s a Dutch crew so, uh, there is a sprinkling of, um, Australians on board & uhm, 1 of whom, is a Dutch that crosses the barrier for us, um, Carolijn Brouwer, who actually I sailed my 25th Hobart with so it’ll be great to sail with her again & she herself is, uh, an accomplished Olympian, uh, a raft sailor, not a yacht sailor, um & they, um, actually, I sailed against them in the Transpac this year from LA to Hawaii so it will be nice to be onboard with them & it’s a, it’s a cruiser-racer so, uh, it hopefully won’t, uh, have a little bit more comfort than I’ve had the last couple of years.
Adrienne Cahalan, ‘Aragon’ navigator
The race start is the 1st eventuality everyone is preparing for & with 98% chance it will happen (it got cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), we now look forward to 1pm, Friday the 26th of December 2025, Boxing Day.
Fleet Update
9 yachts have pulled out since November 18 reducing the overall fleet for the 80th edition of the Great Race South to 132 yachts, which is still the largest fleet since 2019, when the 75th edition was held.
Withdrawn yachts, including 2 double-handed entries, are from the following places:
New South Wales (7)
Tasmania (1)
New Zealand (1)
Out of the 132 yachts still competing, 28 are debutants of which 9 are not from Australia.
Starting Cannon Firer
It was also revealed that the person firing the starting cannon this year is Scott McAllister, who was a crew member onboard Rampage when it won the handicap trophy, the George Adams Tattersall Cup, in 1975.
Other News
In other news, Comanche won line honours in the Bird Island Race with URM leading the Bass & Flinders Series of the Blue Water Pointscore series after 4 races with 3 points.
This whole announcement was from the media launch of the 2025 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, which was held on November 26.
The 2025 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race will begin at 1pm on Friday the 26th of December (Boxing Day) from Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Race Village, outside the CYCA, opens on Monday the 1st of December & closes around 10pm on the night of Boxing Day. The Classic Yacht Regatta will be held on Sydney Harbour between 1:55pm on Friday the 12th of December to 3pm on Sunday the 14th of December. The Hobart Race Village, at Constitution Dock, opens at 12pm on Saturday the 27th of December & closes on the night of the 1st of January 2026. The main race can finish as early as 10:15pm on Friday the 27th of December with the last yacht finishing as last as the 6th of January 2026.
A Douglas C-47 Skytrain will fly in tribute from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Aviation Museum in Shellharbour to Sydney & back via the coast at 12:39pm, 17th of December for the 90th anniversary of the Douglas DC-3.
The approximate flight path Image: Google Maps
The route in Air Traffic Control (ATC) terms is designated ‘Victor 1’ & ‘Harbour Scenic 1’. After take-off, altitude begins at a mandatory 152.4 metres (500 feet) above mean sea level (AMSL) (Sydney Query Nautical Height). As they go past the Royal National Park, they will ascend to 304.8 metres (1000 feet) AMSL to Long Reef. From Long Reef & around Sydney Harbour the altitude is increased once again to a mandatory 457.2 metres (1500 feet) AMSL. The return journey is the same.
The approximate flight path in Sydney Image: Google Maps
After the tribute flight, the Douglas C-47 SkyTrain will be back at the HARS Aviation Museum in Shellharbour on display. The HARS Aviation Museum is open daily at Shellharbour Airport from 9:30am to 3:30pm.
Schedule
9:30am – HARS Aviation Museum opens
12:39pm – Shellharbour Take-Off
12:48pm – Stanwell Park Southerly Flypast
12:54pm – Cronulla Southerly Flypast
12:59pm – Coogee Southerly Flypast
1pm – Bondi Southerly Flypast
1:02pm – Manly Southerly Flypast
1:03pm – Long Reef Turn-Around
1:04pm – Manly Northerly Flypast
1:06pm – Sydney Harbour Bridge Flypast
1:06pm-1:08pm – 1st Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:08pm-1:10pm – 2nd Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:10pm-1:12pm – 3rd Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:12pm-1:14pm – 4th Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:14pm-1:16pm – 5th Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:16pm-1:18pm – 6th Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:18pm-1:20pm – 7th Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:20pm-1:22pm – 8th Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:22pm-1:24pm – 9th Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:24pm-1:26pm – 10th Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:26pm-1:28pm – 11th Sydney Harbour ‘orbit’
1:29pm – Manly Southerly Flypast
1:30pm – Long Reef Turn-Around
1:31pm – Manly Northerly Flypast
1:33pm – Bondi Northerly Flypast
1:34pm – Coogee Northerly Flypast
1:39pm – Cronulla Northerly Flypast
1:45pm – Stanwell Park Northerly Flypast
1:54pm – Shellharbour Landing
3:30pm – HARS Aviation Museum closes
The Planes
The Douglas DC-3 is a propeller-driven airliner, first built in 1935, that revolutionised airliner travel but the Museum’s own is currently undergoing planned maintenance.
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain, a military transport aircraft developed from the Douglas DC-3 will instead fly in tribute, which incidentally had its 80th anniversary this year. The HARS Museum has 4 of these, 1 of which is undergoing restoration.
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain was built during World War II in Oklahoma City in the United States Of America in early 1945. The particular one that will fly around Sydney Harbour was used to make the first Royal Australian Air Force operational mission of the Vietnam War, delivering food & medical supplies to fleeing refugees. It was also flown by the United States Air Force for a month in 1945.
The time & order of the flypast may change on the day, subject to aircraft serviceability, prevailing weather & ATC.
The 9 candles of the Chanukiah have been lit up on the western sails of the Sydney Opera House for Chunukah.
Chanukah, more commonly known as Hanukkah, which means Dedication, is an 8-day Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of the city of Jerusalem & the subsequent rededication of the 2nd Temple in 164 BCE. Though it is of major cultural significance to Jewish people, it is actually a relatively minor holiday in strictly religious terms. Tonight is the 2nd night of Chanukah.
The Chanukiah, more commonly known as a hanukkiah, is simply a candlestick/menorah, with 9 branches, which is used during Chanukah.
It is told in the Talmud Bavli (‘Babylonian Study‘) that during the 2nd Temple’s rededication, its menorah, a 7-branched candlestick, needed to burn for 8 nights. However, only a single small jar of olive oil, with an unbroken seal, was found throughout all of Jerusalem – enough to last only 1 night. The oil, nevertheless, is said to have lasted all required 8 nights, constituting a miracle, which is celebrated & symbolised to this day in the festival of Chanukah.
The middle branch of the Chanukiah, called the ‘shamash’ (‘helper’), is used each night of Chanukah to light 1 more candle than the previous night out of the remaining branches until all are lit. Each of these 8 other candles represent each night of Chanukah.
The Chanukiah is one of the most widely produced & iconic objects of Jewish ritual art.
Tonight, I made the decision to light the Sydney Opera House with candles on the menorah, marking the 2nd day of Chanukah.
Lighting the Opera House is a simple but powerful gesture: a message to the world that we cherish our Jewish community, that we honour their courage & that we stand with them in solidarity and love.
Tonight, those candles are a symbol of resilience & a reminder that even in darkness, we choose to stand with one another.
Chris Minns, NSW Premier
The projection comes a day after a Jewish genocide, by gunfire, at Sydney’s iconic suburb of Bondi Beach killed 15 people at the Chanukah By The Sea event, held at Archer Park, as well as killing bystanders & injuring other members of the public including police officers and other brave local heroes who tried to stop the shooting, in what is now being seen as an act of terrorism.
Terrorism is the use of violence against non-combatants to achieve political or ideological aims. In this case, the terrorists seemed to seek to establish a global institution to return to the traditions of the first 3 generations of Muslims, under the leadership of an Islamic ruler who is considered a successor to Muhammad, in this case, through his closest companion, Abu Bakr. This is evidenced by 2 homemade flags of the Islamic State, who have this aim, being found in the terrorists’ car.
A genocide is any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, anational, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
Killing group members
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to group members
Deliberately inflicting on the group life conditions calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Genocide can be punished with up to life imprisonment under international law while terrorism is punished with life imprisonment in Australia.
In a post on social media, the Sydney Opera House honoured the victims & sent their “deepest” condolences to everyone affected.
Sydney Spectaculars does not expect the upcoming major events, the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race & Sydney New Year’s Eve to be cancelled despite the significant circumstances.
Amid a heightened concern & a mourning period, the projection of the Chanukiah drew praise from Jewish leaders and community members.
As this projection is for Chanukah rather than as a projection in remembrance of the victims of the massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism, Sydney Spectacularsis considering this projection as a ‘Spectacular‘.
However, in 2014, Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE) was announced to have projections of flowers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons in remembrance to the 2 victims of the Lindt Cafe siege, though no photographic/video footage of the projections is known to exist, thus we are unable to confirm it actually happened in the end. It is expected the City Of Sydney will announce a similar measure to be implemented in due course, though it is extremely unlikely flowers will feature because it clearly conflicts creatively with the native flora projections already announced for the night.
For Sydney NYE2001 – Of Beauty Rich & Rare: Australia – The Land, one of the Bridge Effect images was a dove of peace due to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States Of America a few months earlier. However, Bridge Effects are no longer done for the event so a repeat of this is not expected & even if it was, with just over 2 weeks to go, there simply is no time to build a Bridge Effect.
A drone show image could be an alternative but applications for such a show would have needed to be submitted to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in late September.
The only possibility is a dove of peace being featured in the speculated flower projections.
Sydney Spectaculars has reached out to the City Of Sydney.
Merchandise for the 80th Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race (SHYR) is now on sale as 1 yacht withdraws from the Great Race South. Meanwhile, the Race Village details have been confirmed as the event’s website is updated for the 1st time since the 2012 edition!
Merchandise
The official clothing for the event is on sale here. Whilst there is more expensive clothing than last time by AUD$20 (now AUD$320 maximum), there is also more affordable clothing than last time as well by AUD$30 (now AUD$40 minimum).
The program for the 2025 SHYR, the 80th edition, is also now available for pre-orders.
SHYR 2025 (80th) Program front cover Image: SHYR
Inside the 2025 program you’ll find:
Spectator guides
Viewing information
Detailed course maps
The fleet list
Fleet analysis
Yacht profiles
Crew interviews
Never before seen historic photography
Historical stories
Pre-orders will be sold at a discount & come with a free A3 80th Edition Commemorative Poster.
Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia (CYCA) members & all competing skippers will receive a program & poster as part of their membership/entry.
The Sydney Race Village will open between the 1st & 26th December inclusive outside the CYCA on the Club’s hardstand on the shores of Rushcutters Bay on Sydney Harbour except on:
the 11th of December between 6pm & 10pm (selected Main Race sailors & their guests and acquaintances only)
the 12th of December (New CYCA members & their guests only)
the 14th of December between 3pm & 9pm (Classic Regatta competitors & their guests only)
the 20th of December between 6:30pm & 9:30pm (competing skippers & other invited very important persons only) &
the 22nd of December between 5pm & 11:30pm (Main Race competing crews, CYCA members & their guests only)
It is also only open to ticketholders on the 17th of December from 6pm to 10pm (Women In Sailing Night) & the 21st of December from 12pm to 4:30pm (Long Lunch). You can get tickets to those 2 events by clicking the previous links.
The Women In Sailing Night, will have a panel of 4 women, moderated by Olivia Price, London 2012 Silver Medallist in the Women’s Elliott 6m Sailing, featuring:
Lisa Darmanin, Rio 2016 Silver Medallist in the Mixed Nacra 17 event
Carolijn Brouwer, Olympian & Aragon (2025 SHYR entrant) crew member
The Hobart Race Village is held waterside at Constitution Dock on the River Derwent, opening at 12pm on the 27th of December & closes on the evening of January 1st. There are some updates regarding the Hobart Race Village vendors. The following are not going to be there this year:
Daiquiri Isle PL
Robbie’s Woodfire Pizzas
Fried & Loaded Tasmania
They will be replaced by:
Bruny Island Oysters
Little Island Waffle Co.
Chillin Dory
In the Hobart Race Village bar, each day from 12pm-5pm, there also will be oyster & wine tastings, definitely from Devil’s Corner & likely from Bruny Island Oysters and Browns Brothers Family Winemakers. A 2-hour Happy Hour for competitors only will be held from 28-31 December at 5pm as well as on January 1 at 3pm.
Also, kids face painting will only be held at the Hobart Race Village until the 30 December inclusive. It will always be held in the morning.
There will be live music at the Hobart Race Village in 3-hour sets except on New Year’s Eve (extra 30 minutes after Midnight):
Tony Mak (27 December, 1pm)
The Kick On’s (27 December, 8:45pm)
Velvet Divan Trio (28 December, 7:15pm)
Montage (29 December, 7:15pm)
The Loudmouths (30 December, 7:15pm)
Sugartrain (31 December, 9pm)
There are also disc jockeys at the Hobart Race Village:
Johnny (27 December, 6:30pm-8:30pm & 31 December 3pm-6pm)
Track N Field (28 December, 5:30pm-7pm)
Retro (29 December, 5pm-7pm)
B-Rex (30 December, 5pm-7pm)
Randall Foxx (31 December, 6pm-8:30pm)
Lastly, there will also be replays of the Main Race start in the Hobart Race Village:
27 December 11:45pm-28 December 1:15am
30 & 31 December 11am-12:30pm
1 January 10am-11:30am
Website Update
The new SHYR website Image: SHYR
Meanwhile, the official event website has been updated for the 1st time since the 2012 edition. 1 new addition is an embedded What’s On webpage from the CYCA’s website for events at the Race Villages & the CYCA. The history sections (which can be accessed by scrolling down the homepage until you find & click on the 2024 edition ‘recap’ button & then choosing the relevant year or alternatively, clicking on ‘recap’ in each edition’s section) has also been expanded with more documents from more years, providing a more detailed look into the history of this iconic race. The Hobart & Beyond (Tasmania tourism) webpage has also been removed from the site.
Nordwind Withdraws
United States Of America entry, Nordwind, withdrew from the race less than 35 minutes after race entries closed.
This reduces the overall fleet for the 80th edition to 141 yachts, which is still the largest fleet since 2019, when the 75th edition was held
This announcement was made on November 12.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 – its 80th anniversary – begins at 1pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on the 26th of December, Boxing Day.
Sydney Spectaculars 
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