The updated Sydney NYE website has revealed the 2025 edition will have its biggest expansion since NYE2006 with the addition of the 1st new major fireworks location since that Diamond Night In Emerald City.
The firing location is located at White Bay, about 3 kilometres southeast of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where all the pyrotechnic barges are actually set up. It is understood a barge is not being used but the land on the water’s edge instead, thus reducing costs for the event.
It is the 1st major pyrotechnic location in the history of the event to not run east-west along the Harbour. Darling Harbour & 5 regional cities of New South Wales were used during the Closing Night Harbour Spectacular of The Games Of The XXVIIth Olympiad: Sydney 2000.
Whilst White Bay’s appearance in the Midnight Fireworks has been confirmed, it has not been confirmed if it will feature in the Calling Country Fireworks at 9pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).
The reasoning for the addition is unknown particularly as it is out of the way. Maybe they are considering adding barges down to Darling Harbour and/or the Australian & New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Bridge?
The nearest vantage point to the White Bay pyrotechnic location is Giba Park, a free accessible vantage point with bring-your-own food/alcohol allowed. It has good views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s western side. However, the Sydney Opera House is not visible. With a capacity of 1,540, gates open at 4pm AEDT with it reaching capacity at around 9:15pm AEDT based on last year, though with closer fireworks this year that could happen even earlier. There are bag checks on entry at this vantage point, which also has drinking water stations & toilets.
Sydney NYE2025 website Image: Sydney NYE
Other Vantage Point Information
The City Of Sydney is also now discouraging overnight camping in make-shift queues prior to NYE.
The Sydney Opera House will become a balloted vantage point this year with the ballot opening at 10am on the 26th of December, Boxing Day, the day the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race starts. The tickets are free, up to a maximum of 6 per person. The 6000 ticketholders enter the vantage point between 12pm & 3pm – at least 4.5 hours before the event begins – & can also pre-order an optional picnic hamper.
Also, The Rocks is not an official vantage point this year.
Whilst the Vantage Point Finder has been updated on the website, the City Of Sydney says more vantage point information will be released closer to NYE so keep an eye on the website for updates.
Welcome To Country & The Broadcast
Meanwhile, the event schedule has revealed the Welcome To Country is going to be held at 8:45pm AEDT, 15 minutes later than last year. This also aligns with the television/Internet broadcast, which has also been announced to be produced once again by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation & will start at the same time as the Welcome To Country, therefore the broadcast is 15 minutes shorter than last year, making it the shortest broadcast in 12 years.
Sydney puts on a New Year’s Eve like nowhere else & with more than 1 million people travelling to the foreshore to watch the fireworks, a little planning goes a long way.
Whether you’re committed to securing a family-friendly front row spot at 1 of the many free viewing areas at parks & headlands around the Harbour or planning to go big with your booking, the official website has you covered.
We’d love you to celebrate with us in Sydney.
Clover Moore, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor
This announcement was made on September 4.
Sydney New Year’s Eve 2025 begins on Wednesday the 31st of December 2025 at 7:30pm AEDT.
The Sydney New Year’s Eve 2025-2027 visual identity has been revealed with the event’s website being updated for the 2025 edition on Thursday the 4th of September.
Described as a “future-focused” “bold, modular brand system…that could flex across formats” universally, it was “designed to move a city” with “strong graphic forms, a vibrant palette & welcoming brand voice” uniting to unmistakably capture Sydney’s more playful side.
Meanwhile, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders have been invited to express interest in providing Calling Country creative services for the NYE2026-28 editions of the event.
An online information session for interested & registered applicants took place at 9:30am, 21 August 2025. At the briefing the City’s representative discussed, answered or clarified any issues raised by a respondent about any expression of interest (EOI) requirements.
In what is a 2-stage process, EOI proposals opened for submission on the 12th of August & close at 5pm on Friday the 5th of September. Following a review of the EOI proposals, at the City Of Sydney’s discretion, within a week of the 29th of September, they will invite shortlisted applicants to register with Tenderlink & file, by the 20th of October, formal Request For Tender documents for services including a detailed budget within AUD$132,000 & to present their creative concept for consideration at an 1 hour meeting with City Of Sydney staff in the week commencing the 27th of October, after which the applicant will be paid a AUD$3,000 fee. The successful applicant will be informed & contracted in December.
The criteria the applicants will be evaluated on upon the initial EOI proposal application include:
Demonstrated creative concept delivery experience including providing 3 previous work case studies aligning to the program elements including visual storytelling, music programming & artist collaboration
Demonstrated organisational program & key project personnel delivery capacity
At the compulsory fleet briefing, it was announced that 15 yachts, including Comanche & Celestial V70, will pause their race off Bondi to spread petals, supplied by Mr Roses, in tribute to the victims of the massacre and Jewish genocide terrorism in the suburb of Bondi Beach 10 days ago while the ocean current will become slower as the race goes on.
It remains at about 2.8-3.7 kilometres per hour (1.5-2 knots) on the 27th of December. However, combining with a southerly swell, will result in a “confused” sea state along the south coast of New South Wales (NSW).
Heading into the 28th of December, about 111 kilometres (60 nautical miles) off the Tasmanian coast or 65 kilometres (35 nautical miles) east of the race’s rhumb line, the current slows to between 1.9 & 2.6 kilometres per hour (1-1.4 knots).
Both current speeds are associated with eddies, of which more details were forecast. The Ulladulla eddy will have temperatures of 24 degrees Celsius & rotate at speeds of 2.8-3.7 kilometres per hour (1.5-2 knots) before curving away at Montague Island south-southeast towards the race’s rhumb line. The east Tasmanian eddy will have warm temperatures. The Sydney eddy was not mentioned & is presumed no longer forecast.
Outside the Heads, the swells are now more south to south-southwesterly & at a length of 2 to 3 metres.
Winds
At the race start, the winds are now forecast to be an 10-minute average of 48 to 61 kilometres per hour (km/h) (26-33 knot) southerly winds, making it an even more tactical battle once out of the Heads. These winds are driven by the high-pressure system that will now be west of Sydney & Tasmania before moving slowly over Tasmania to its eastern coastline as well as that of NSW at 5am on the 27th of December. 12 hours later, the eastern side of the high will produce far offshore & along Bass Strait, 19 to 28 km/h (10-15 knots) winds. During that night, the high will then go over the racing fleet, who if they are close to shore, will receive similar winds but up to 37 km/h (20 knots) & are south to south-southwesterlies. On the 28th, the high moves to the southern Tasman Sea as the winds turn easterly at 9 to 19 km/h (5-10 knots) & at 5pm, to Bass Strait back under the fleet where the winds will go south to southeasterly.
To the start of the race is looking like it is going to be strong winds as we are on the eastern side of that high pressure system, um, looking like they are coming from the due south, which is going to bring some swells also from that direction so the 1st thing to note is that it could be a, a bit hairy as that as soon as you come out of the Heads you’ll see some, um, pretty big swells coming from the south as well as strong winds, um, which warnings would be issued, most likely.
Edward Townsend-Medlock, Bureau Of Meteorology meteorologist
On the 29th of December, 48 to 61 km/h (26-33 knot) easterlies will funnel along the mouth into Bass Strait before turning as well to northeasterly slowing to 28 to 37 km/h (15-20 knots) at 5pm (The wind will be weaker the further east the yacht is) before overnight, turning light & more northerly in Bass Strait & along the Tasmanian coast where the high returns as well as along the NSW coast. At 5pm on the 30th of December, the winds will strengthen to a maximum of 46km/h (25 knots) in Bass Strait. Late on New Year’s Eve (NYE), winds of 63 to 87 km/h (34-47 knots) are forecast to funnel through Bass Strait.
Edward Townsend-Medlock, Bureau Of Meteorology meteorologist, addresses the competitors at the compulsory fleet briefing. Photograph: Alex Dare/Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
Bureau Of Meteorology meteorologist, Edward Townsend-Medlock, noted gusts could be 40% higher than the forecasted average speeds. On NYE in Bass Strait, this could mean gusts of up to 121km/h (65 knots).
This forecast update is only for the race up until 2026.
The competitors were also all briefed on the updated BOM website, which has proven controversial since its update on the 22nd of October.
Line Honours Contenders’ Skippers’ Reactions
Never mind the forecast, LawConnect skipper, Christian Beck, echoed his comments at the media launch, saying mistakes by the other line honours contenders will help his yacht:
Our problem is that if it’s good for us, it’s also good for them (other Line Honours contenders) so we really just need our mates to keep stuffing up.
Christian Beck, ‘LawConnect’ skipper
Christian likes to play the underdog but upwind, LawConnect is a really good boat & in the really light stuff later on, probably a better boat than us. I think it’s going to be a really intriguing battle.
This year, it’s really the weather at play. There’s no race record on the table. That’s for sure. The conditions just don’t support that. It’s going to come down to who manages the transitions best.
Matt Allen, ‘Comanche’ co-skipper
Matt Allen quickly pointed out that conditions could throw up unexpected contenders including Scallywag, which has shown impressive upwind speed before. However, Scallywag‘s skipper, David Witt, thinks it could be a close bunch finish:
I could definitely see everyone coming in pretty tight
David Witt, ‘Scallywag’ skipper
(From left to right) Christian Beck, Matt Allen, Grant Wharington, Mark Richards & David Witt at the Line Honours Contenders press conference Photograph: Alex Dare/Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
However, the skipper of Wild Thing 100, David Wharington, thinks he might not be in that bunch, ironically, because he improved his yacht since last edition:
I’d actually be happier going back to the B rig for this race. The full rig makes us more competitive downwind but that’s probably not going to help us this year.
In the bump, it’s hard for us. We don’t have the mass these guys (other Line Honours contenders) have. Light air later could be good but whether we’ve got enough time to catch up remains to be seen.
Grant Wharington, ‘Wild Thing 100’ skipper
While Grant Wharington is worried about his yacht’s mass being a disadvantage in “bumpy” conditions, Mark Richards, XI‘s skipper points out width is irrelevant in that scenario:
When it gets really rough and bumpy, narrow boats aren’t that bad either.
Mark Richards, ‘XI’ skipper
XI Ditches New C-Foils
Meanwhile, at the Line Honours Contenders press conference, Mark Richards, while talking about his yacht’s changes, revealed XI has decided to ditch their new radical C-foils for the upcoming race:
We’ve even developed new C-foils, but we’ve decided not to take them because we’re just not quite ready.
Mark Richards, ‘XI’ skipper
Hobart Race Village Update
The Hobart Race Village will close every day at 10:30pm, except if the 1st yacht is due to arrive that night, when the yacht arrives, on 27 December, when it closes at 1:15am the next day, on NYE, when it closes at 12:30am the next day & January 1, when it closes at 5pm. It will open every day at 9am except the 27th of December, when it opens at 12pm.
Also, kids face painting will now be held during all hours until 30th December inclusive.
Other News
In other news, it was announced there are more women than ever before racing in the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race with over 170 taking part this edition in nearly half the fleet.
Also, the 5 minutes to go cannon will be fired by Chris Oxenbould, who earlier this year chaired the review committee for last year’s tragic events, while the 10 minutes to go cannon will be fired by John Kirkjian. He was a Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race International Jury member from 1987 to 2011, having chaired them since 2003, all resulting in him getting a Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race Meritorious Service Award Citation in 2012.
About 35 NSW Maritime, Water Police & Marine Rescue vessels patrolling the no passive craft/anchoring area from 11am on 26 December with all competing yachts within the exclusion zone by 12pm. The exclusion zone will also be in effect until 2:20pm or when the last competing yacht has left the Harbour, which, according to the sailing instructions, can start no later than 5pm.
Lee Goddard is the volunteer On-Water Race Director. However, as a member of the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia’s Race Committees, is, therefore, not independent as he claimed. Once in Hobart, he is 1 of about 261 volunteers in the city, contributing 2309 service hours to the race there.
Lastly, during the race, Australia’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre will have 6 search & rescue officers on duty accompanied at night by 4 sail mission coordinators.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 – its 80th anniversary – begins at 1pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on the 26th of December, Boxing Day.
In recognition of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race‘s founding fathers, a 1-hour Parade Of Sail will be held at 10:30am Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on the 26th December, Boxing Day.
Held every 10th edition since at least 2004, the Parade Of Sail will feature classic yachts of previous editions of the Great Race South all decorated in flags, beginning in Rose Bay before heading north past Steele Point then north-east to Sow & Pigs Reefs where they will turn northwest to finish in Obelisk Bay.
Parade Of Sail Route Image: Google Maps
At Rose Bay, the Sail Training Ship (STS) Young Endeavour, in its final year as flagship of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, will start the Parade Of Sail before shortly after, heading to the rear of the Parade all the rest of the way to Obelisk Bay.
STS Young Endeavour is a Royal Australian Navy tall ship that trains young Australians to sail.
In addition to STS Young Endeavour, the Parade Of Sail will feature 17 yachts:
Margaret Rintoul (Line honours winner, 1950 & 1951, race record holder, 1951-1957)
Solveig (Line honours winner, 1953), helmed by Bob Allan
Josephine (2nd on line honours, 1953)
Defiance (3rd on line honours, 1946)
Anitra V (Handicap winner, 1957)
Sagacious V (International Offshore Rule handicap winner, 1990)
Caprice of Huon (2nd on handicap, 1972)
Bacardi (2nd on International Rating Certificate handicap, 2008)
Vittoria (9-times entrant, 1970-1978)
Lolita (7-times entrant, 1957-1972)
Maris (7-times entrant, 1960-2008)
Duet (6-times entrant, 1969-1975)
Valhalla (6-times entrant, 1965-1997)
Zara (entered in 2021)
Delinquent
Nirvana 1
Protest Against Bacardi Dismissed
As stated above, Bacardi is participating in the Parade Of Sail before starting its record 32nd Blue Water Classic.It’s best result in the International Rating Certificate handicap category of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race was 2nd place in 2008.
A protest against Bacardi by the Technical Committee has been dismissed by the International Jury as there has been no breach by Bacardi of either the Notice Of Race (NOR) or the International Rating Certificate (IRC) rules at the time of Bacardi‘s IRC Rule inspection on 15 December.
The protest, received by the Race Committee on 16 December at 5:30pm, alleged that Bacardi‘s IRC specified “1 Aft Rigging (sets)” while upon inspection had 2 sets of aft rigging (a backstay & a set of checkstays).
The IRC rule defines Aft Rigging to be “the total number of stays and/or sets of stays connected to the mast above the boom… providing aft support and/or control”
Bacardi’s Person In Charge (PIC) failed to interpret the IRC rule correctly, relying in good faith on an old definition that only counted checkstays & didn’t include backstays, inadvertently understanding that “1 Aft Rigging (sets)”’ was correct. In response to receiving the protest, Bacardi‘s PIC applied to Australian Sailing for a new IRC to rectify the error, which was issued to the yacht. IRC Rule 8.2.2 states the issuing of any new IRC automatically invalidates the old one.
The International Jury found that:
Bacardi had a current, endorsed IRC Certificate valid in Australia submitted before 7pm on 12 December 2025 (NOR 3.3(a)(i) & IRC Rule 8.2)
No individual in relation to Bacardi intentionally supplied false information (IRC Rule 13.4)
Therefore, no NOR or IRC rules were breached.
NOR 4.1 states when a rating protest results in a change to a yacht’s IRC, the Race Committee will accept such a change after 7pm on 12 December. Therefore, Bacardi can still race.
80th Edition Tote Bags
80th edition tote bags are now on sale as part of the event merchandise, which can be bought for AUD$25 here, along with the already available clothing. It comes as international shipping for all Helly Henson merchandise has returned. Programs can also be bought from here.
White Tote Bag Image: Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
Navy Blue Tote Bag Image: Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
Fleet Update
3 yachts have pulled out including Windrose in the last 48 hours reducing the overall fleet for the 80th edition of the Great Race South to 129 yachts, which is still the largest fleet since 2019, when the 75th edition was held.
Withdrawn yachts, including 1 double-handed entry, are from the following places:
New South Wales (2)
Tasmania (1)
Other News
In other news, seagoing commercial shipping will be suspended in Sydney Harbour from 8am to 4pm on Boxing Day for the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025’s Parade Of Sail will begin at 10:30am Australian Eastern Daylight Time on the 26th of December, Boxing Day, lasting an hour before the main race – its 80th edition – starts at 1pm AEDT.
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. 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.
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