Sydney to Hobart Campaign

The world-famous 628-mile Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is renowned for being the Everest of amateur yacht racing. Each year, around 130 yachts come together to do battle with the competition and with the elements. Completing a Sydney to Hobart race ticks a big box on your sailing resume.

full
16 December
Mon 16 Dec 2024 - Thu 02 Jan 2025
3 weeks, 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
  • $11,990.00 incl. GST
Event is fullJoin waiting list

Description

The Rolex Sydney to Hobart race is one of the world's most prestigious ocean races and is a superb test of seamanship, skill, tactics, and endurance.

The key to success in an event like this is preparation and teamwork, and the Flying Fish campaign is designed to ensure that the crew and the boat are fully prepared for the challenge.

As with all events of this nature, the sense of achievement when you sail across the finishing line is immense.

The yacht Arctos  

This year's Flying Fish team is racing Flying Fish Arctos, a strong, powerful, cutter-rigged Radford / McIntyre 55 built for a Southern Ocean circumnavigation. 

Flying Fish Arctos has successfully completed 17 Sydney to Hobart races, achieving outstanding results, including second in class in 2009 and first in class in 2010 and 2017.  

Campaign schedule

Week 1 - Crew training and offshore qualifying passage

Our programme starts with four days of skills and drills in Sydney Harbour. 

We will practice upwind and downwind sailing, reefing, headsail changes, spinnaker handling, and essential safety drills to ensure the crew are familiar with the yacht and their role on board. 

Next, we complete a valuable 24-hour offshore qualifying passage, a requirement of the race organizers, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are off for some well-earned rest and relaxation; then it's up early on Boxing Day for the spectacular start on Sydney Harbour.

Week 2 - Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The start of the race on Boxing Day is a significant fixture on the Australian sporting calendar, and it feels electric to be on the start line as a participant.

After the huge send-off, we head out to sea, searching for the warm current that will carry us south down the Australian coast and across the Bass Strait to Tasmania.

At Tasman Island, the course turns right into Storm Bay for the final sail up the Derwent River to the finish line at Constitution Dock and a magnificent welcome in the historic port of Hobart.

We expect to arrive at Constitution Dock in Hobart in good time for the New Year's Eve celebrations, Tasmania's best party of the year.

Taste of Tasmania

Tasmania's biggest food and wine festival, celebrating the state's justifiably famous produce and fine food, adds welcome flavour to the carnival atmosphere enjoyed by the hungry race crews on arrival in the city of Hobart. 

 

What's included

  • Safety equipment, tuition, accommodation, and meals onboard the yacht during the race and the overnight qualifying passage.
  • Crew can stay on the yacht in the Middle Harbour Yacht Club marina during the training week and on arrival in Hobart, but food is not provided. (there are local cafes and restaurants nearby.) 
  • Book your own shore-based accommodation in Sydney and Hobart for a more comfortable experience. 
  • Customers must depart the yacht in Hobart at the latest 1000 on 02 January.

Qualifications and experience

  • 1,000 sea miles logged
  • RYA qualifying passages
  • ISAF Category 1 racing experience

Before you start

The Sydney to Hobart race is not one for the faint-hearted! 

Where possible we like all our crew to have completed the following before joining our campaign. 

What next?

  • If you've got the racing bug, why not join us for Hamilton Island Race Week
  • If you are interested in training as a skipper see our Yachtmaster section.

Testimonials

  • Ian Horrocks - Australia
    • Hamilton Island Race Week and Sydney to Hobart 2018
    • “Since our first interaction at Hamilton Island race week to the celebrations at Customs House after the Hobart your organization and staff have been outstanding in support, knowledge, and safety but most of all it has been fun!
  • Li Peihong - China
    • Yachtmaster Fast Track
    • “Flying Fish is the best choice to learn and enjoy sailing. Authentic British style management, a friendly coaching team, a loving student atmosphere, a tailored teaching program, and a glimpse of the southern hemisphere's deep blue charm. ”
  • Horro - Australia
    • Flying Fish Arctos, Sydney to Hobart 2019
    • “This is the second time I have raced to Hobart with Flying Fish on the mighty Arctos. I have no hesitation in recommending the program to any sailor whether they are dreaming of doing their first Hobart or their tenth”