The watch gods have been truly kind to this collector, as my wife and I were invited by ‘The Hourglass’ and ‘Rolex Australia’ to be part of the start of the race. The race is always conducted on the 26th of December ‘Boxing Day’ with the yachts starting in Sydney Harbour and then the journey takes them down the Tasman Sea, Storm Bay and then up to Derwent River to Hobart.
Over the years, the Rolex Sydney Hobart has become an icon of Australia’s summer sport, ranking in public interest with such national events as the Melbourne Cup horse race, the Davis Cup tennis and the cricket tests between Australia and England. No yachting event in the world attracts such huge media coverage – except, of course, the America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race – than does the start on Sydney Harbour. And the others only happen every four or five years.
The day commenced at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia was formed in 1944 and ran its first Sydney Hobart Race in 1945.
We were fortunate to enjoy a wander amongst the yachts just a few hours before the race.
Our mode of transport was the luxurious ‘Cosmos’ that would take us out into Sydney Harbour to follow the fleet through the exclusion zone. Once the race was under way, we would follow the fleet out to Sydney Heads to watch the yachts head south to Tasmania.
As always, traveling in style. Given the special occasion I thought I would wear my 6263. This was certainly a crowd pleaser and all the Rolex executives were impressed.
Husband and Wife wrist shot (what a combo!)
Out in the harbour the weather wasn’t ideal but there was no rain. Sydney harbour at its best.
The main contenders
Wild Oats XI
Alfa Romeo
The final blast from the cannon.....let the race begin.
With the boom of the starting canon still echoing across the Harbour there was an explosion of colourful spinnakers across the fleet.
We were right amongst the action, seeing some of the crews working frantically to get ahead.
Neville Crichton’s 100 foot maxi Alfa Romeo grabbed bragging rights from arch rival Wild Oats XI by being the first yacht out of Sydney Harbour.
A final glimpse of the yachts as they leave the harbour.
Whilst the skies were gray, the smiles on everyone’s faces confirmed that we all had the time of our lives. Naturally great finger food and an almost unlimited supply of Moët & Chandon proved vital ingredients in the festivities.
Rolex Australia certainly know how to entertain in style.
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