Sydney to Hobart 2008

Often described as the most gruelling long ocean race in the world, this 628 nautical mile course is a challenge to everyone who takes part.

From the spectacular start in Sydney Harbour, on Boxing Day, 26 December, the fleet sails out into the Tasman Sea, down the south-east coast of mainland Australia, across Bass Strait (which divides the mainland from the island State of Tasmania), then down the east coast of Tasmania. At Tasman Island, the fleet turns right into Storm Bay for the final sail up the Derwent River to the historic port city of Hobart.

Over the past 63 years, the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 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.

A maxi yacht is almost certain to take line honours in the 2008 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, due to its longer waterline, greater displacement and higher hull speed. However the Overall Winner of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and winner of the Tattersalls Cup , will be the yacht with the lowest corrected time using the IRC handicapping system. Historically this is more likely to be a smaller boat, not a maxi.

Perie Banou II will compete to achieve the position of Overall Winner against the likes of boats such as the 1973 built Sparkman & Stephens 47 yacht which was overall winner of the Tattersalls Cup for the third time in the 2006 race.