Sydney Hobart – Moment in the sun?
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor 28 Dec 2025 14:09 PST
Min River on her way to a divisional win in the 2024 NSGCYR © CYCA | Andrea Francolini
Huey (The God of Wind) is a Games Master. There is always something going on. Take the Double Handed category, by way of example. Most of this Squadron are in the 30-34 feet bracket, with a few 40s thrown in. They have had just the five retirees, so determination is pretty self-evident. You’d have to have it to take this race on in the first place.
For the 2025 Hobart, he doled out a heavy seaway from the get go, and then some Antarctic air to make sure you knew what cold was. The rest of NSW and Southern Queensland got a mere taste of that as the Southerly kicked in, and that is up to 1200km from where the fleet was. Given the size of the boats, many did a lot of submarining early, and it would have been tiring, to say nothing that just sips of water and lollies would have been the diet. Did we mention being thrown around? Sleep? What’s that? And it was over 48 hours’ worth of torture, too.
Some of the ‘Mosquito Squadron’ also reported seeing 38 knots of squirt, which was way more than expected. Charming…
Overall scenario
It is a good time remind everyone of the adage, ‘If you want to know what’s happening with the weather, stick your head out of the companionway hatch!’ The High has sent a ridge out over the Great Australian Bight and joined with the huge High in the Indian Ocean. The Low that was there days ago got squeezed out South like some feral pimple.
Next, the ‘pocket’ that resided over the East coast of Tassie has grown, both physically, and in intensity, going uprange to proffer a distinct 30 knots if you wander too far offshore. OK if you’re in a big, planing girl, not so flash if it is just the two of you and you have been at it for days. Next. It has clocked around to Nor’nor’east, which brings Symmetric kites into play a lot more. A lot! In the Double Handers that is Min River, The Gaffer, and Crux.
Advisory Note
There is a heap to play out yet, and by no means is the Rosetta Stone cast that Huey has anointed the Double Handed Division as the one he has tapped on the shoulder. You have Midnight Rambler, Love & War, and Ginan all to consider. The quick 40s like Back 2 Black, Bacchanal, and Scarlet Runner are also to look out for if the squirt really builds and they can get a wiggle on. Back 2 Black is off St Marys already and looking to drag the apparent forward anytime soon. They are almost ‘in it’, as such.
The transition out of Flinders Island to St Helens remains key, and it is why you see so many West of the Rhumbline, in order to gain a favourable angle back out.
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We’ll be back with more soon…
Earlier 2025 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Editorials:
They will! Huey playing nicely
Will they? Won't they?
New leader as SHK Scallywag comes to the fore
War of attrition as the plateau arrives
Surprised it took this long
I should be so...
Death Valley or Plateau of Pain
Ocean Graders' Delight in the Sydney Hobart Race
New and improved Swiss Army Knife (now with steroids)
Like watching a big front build
Who let the dogs out?
And so, it begins…