Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

The Australian National Maritime Museum has launched a photographic exhibition in the Tasman Light Gallery to honor the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and to celebrate the 70th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

This exhibition brilliantly highlights some magnificent images captured of the 69 year old race. It also shows the advancement that has been brought about in the designs of the yacht and this has been revealed by Katherine Gillett’s sketch drawings to the 100 foot maxi yachts shown through CAD drawings.

This traditional race that began in 1945 commences in Sydney Harbor every year on Boxing Day and ends before New Year in Hobart, Tasmania. This race, hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is run in cooperation with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and is considered to be one of the most difficult yacht races in the world. This race witnesses the presence of amateur as well as professional sailors along with yachts of traditional and latest designs.

The first boat to reach the finishing line is awarded the line honors and this title had been clinched by the Wild Oats XI last year. There is also a handicap competition, sponsored by www.plainsailing.com and Victoire had emerged as last year’s winners. The race is conducted by following the rules devised by the Racing Rules of Sailing that was published by the International Sailing Federation. The total distance covered by the race is 630 nautical miles or 1,170 km. and also attracts maxi yachts from all over the globe.

The curator of the Australian National Maritime Museum, David Payne has created an interesting digital story online of the entire race. This exhibition runs from November, 2014 to March, 2015 and is opened to the general public.