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Melbourne to Hobart Race Information

Distance 435nm                         
Safety Category 2
Start Location Portsea Pier
Start Time 1255 (Australian Standard Eastern Daylight Time)
Start Date 27 Dec 23
Race Record 1d 17h, 28m 59s Shortwave in 2008
Known also as: Westcoaster

Melbourne to Hobart Race Map

To Follow the Fleet, click here.


About the Race

The  ORCV “Westcoaster” is a legendary yacht race where tactics and sailing well can crown you as the race champion, regardless of boat size. 

Across the 435nm passage, yachts contend first with Bass Strait before taking on the wilderness and ruggedness of the West Coast of Tasmania and the long ocean swell of the Southern Ocean before turning towards the finish line and the shifting winds of the Derwent.

For 50 years, the Westcoaster has provided sailors with a unique race full of tactical challenges.

 "35 times but never been the same race,"  Robin Hewitt

 "It's a mind race, as much as it's a physical race," Rod Smallman 

"It's the K2 of ocean races, tactical and challenging,"  Ian Lyall 


Thank you to the following Race Partners
Pre-Race - Royal Brighton Yacht Club / Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
Pre-Race - Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron
Post Race - Derwent Sailing Squadron
Race Start - Sorrento Sailing Club

DSS Boat Sticker   RBYC Logo  RMYS logo  BYS SBSC image 

 

 

Tuesday, 07 February 2023 16:47

The 2022 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race – 50 Years in the Makings With the 2022 Melbourne to Hobart skippers and sailors safely back in their home ports, and their weary bodies well and truly recovered from the challenges of the Westcoaster, we turn now to reflect upon the 50th anniversary of one of the world’s greatest ocean races. This race was 50 years in the making – from the lightbulb moment when Stan Gibson and Dr Joe Cannon hatched the idea for the West Coast race as an attractive alternative for sailors...

Monday, 02 January 2023 10:59

  Maritimo 11 wins prestigious Heemskerk Perpetual Trophy in 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race    Maritimo 11 Winners of the Heemskerk Perpetual Trophy Image Jane Austin Maritimo 11 has been through the highs and lows of racing over the last few weeks, but capped 2022 off perfectly by winning line honours and every handicap category in which they were entered, in the 50th anniversary Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race.  AdvantEDGE, skippered by Andrew Jones from the Port Dalrymple Yacht Club, was second across the line and Damien King’s MRV was...

Saturday, 31 December 2022 11:16

Skipper of Maritimo anoints Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race as one of the world’s great ocean races As the 50th anniversary race, hosted by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV), draws to a close and the handful of boats still to finish creep up the River Derwent, sailors are already discussing the success of the anniversary race and the global standing of the race. Michael Spies skipper of Maritimo regards the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race one of the worlds greatest ocean races Image Jane Austin Michael Spies, skipper of line honours winner Maritimo 11, was full of praise for the...

Friday, 30 December 2022 15:23

Champagne sailing, storms, repairs and smiles - stories from the 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race 2022    As the Hobart docks fill with the 50th Melbourne to Hobart fleet and families hug and reunite, stories are beginning to emerge of the importance of crew work, communication and resilience, atop the pure exhilaration of ocean racing. The 50th anniversary race, hosted by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV), has proved to be more than a tick off a bucket list for the many race debutantes, a vibe more than evident after a short stroll around the...

Friday, 30 December 2022 09:14

Half of the fleet still at sea in 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race  While the crew of line honours winner Maritimo 11 is celebrating their win and have their fingers crossed for a clean sweep of all handicap divisions, half of the fleet is still at sea in the 50th anniversary Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race.    In a race that has delivered stunning summer sailing conditions under blue skies on turquoise seas to strong westerly winds and testing conditions down the West Coast of Tasmania, the biggest challenge is proving to be the final few nautical miles of...

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