The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is one of the world's best ocean races. Ever since 1945, this thrilling and challenging boat race in Sydney Australia has kicked off on Boxing Day, or the day after Christmas, and the starting point has always been the scenic Sydney Harbour. The finishing point remains the island state of Tasmania. The overall distance between the starting point and the ending point is approximately 630 nautical miles, which translates to 1,170 kilometers or 727 miles. The first race saw nine competitors vying for top honors, while the more recent races have attracted a field of more than 50 yachts. In 2002, Rolex took over as the naming rights sponsor of the Bluewater Classic, as this race is also known, and as such, the winner's prizes include a pair of immaculate watches.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is the organizing authority for the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, and it teams up with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania to make the races happen. This famed boat race in Sydney Australia has grown significantly over the years, and these days, it's not uncommon to see maxi yachts from around the world competing. The first Sydney Hobart Yacht Race took more than six days to complete, while the races of the modern era are completed in less than two days. Maxi yachts, for those who might not know, are essentially large yachts that are at least 70 feet long. In addition to the main race, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania offer a handicap competition that takes into account the size of the boats and other important characteristics as they relate to overall speed. Both are wonderful events to enjoy, and together, they attract thousands of people to Australia's largest city on an annual basis.

Watching the start of the Bluewater Classic in Sydney can be a blast if you're looking for things to do after Christmas Day. Seeing the numerous yachts take to the water and head for the open sea is quite the experience, and there are some interesting viewing opportunities. Various spectator boats allow people to get an up close look at the exciting start for this renowned boat race, and they include the Simply Magistic. The tickets for this boat aren't cheap, though ticket holders enjoy more than just the race. Canapes, lunch, a variety of beverages, and race commentary by experts are also included in the ticket prices for the Simply Magistic.

Sydney Map

If you're not interested in boarding one of the spectator boats, you can watch the start of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from the hills in and around Vaucluse and Point Piper. Taking it all in from Circular Quay or the suburb of Manly is also popular. Manly, it should be noted, is one of the main tourist destinations in the Sydney area, and this has a lot to do with its inviting beaches. Both Vaucluse and Point Piper are also Sydney suburbs, and they mainly serve as residential areas. Should you be interested in watching the finish of the race, then you might hop over to Tasmania and take up temporary residence at one of the Hobart hotels or vacation rentals. This Tasmania city is very busy around race time, so it's imperative that you secure your accommodations well in advance. The Customs House Waterfront Hotel in Hobart is especially popular with yachtsmen.