Wishing all yachts favourable winds and smooth sailing for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 2020

In an uncertain world with little to none events, we at the AWBF were thrilled to hear the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 2020 would be going ahead. With a fleet that might be somewhat smaller and somewhat more Australian, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is set to have a fleet of 100 yachts heading down on the 628 nautical mile journey to our quiet Derwent River.

In order to guarantee participant and spectator safety more efforts have been put into live coverage and an enhanced digital experience. Events usually held prior to the kick off of the race will not go ahead and the Hobart after party events will be entirely restructured, with the Village and Marina only open to participants, not the public. What a great excuse to get out on your wooden boat and welcome the yachts up the River!

Although the world renowned yacht race organisers have suffered set back, after set back and faced restrictions on world travel, the race is still on. With help from the NSW and Tasmanian Government and their associated health departments, organisers have rallied together to ensure the race is the safest it could possibly be. Sadly, international competitors will be unable to attend this year’s race, however organisers are looking forward to welcoming them in the 2021 race.

The AWBF has been lucky enough to have some of the competitors stick around after the great race and join our festivities. Over the years we have welcomed many new and old wooden competitors into our docks once again, including Freyja and Fidelus (just to name a few).

Earlier in the year we opened registrations for our 2021 festival, the 36ft timber sloop, Solveig, registered to be a part of the action. Although we have had to cancel our event, the Halvorsen designed and built yacht will be participating in the 2020 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, exactly 70 years on from when it first participated in 1950 when it finished 5th on handicap. Anne Lawrence and John Whitfield are now proud owners of Solveig, and have years of experience in sailing the big race. So on that note, we would like to wish the wooden boat’s the best of luck in the great race, as well as all participating yachts. Have a safe journey and we look forward to welcoming you all.

We would also like to wish the yachts racing in the Melbourne to Hobart Race and the Launceston to Hobart Race.