Since its inception back in 1945, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been a Boxing Day staple for all of Australia.
Alongside the Boxing Day Test, this prestigious race stands tall as one of our flagship post-Christmas sporting events.
One of the toughest and most revered Category 1 ocean races on the planet, Sydney to Hobart is the only major race that starts in a harbour and finishes in a river.
This year’s race will be the 80th edition of the iconic race and it has been announced that a mammoth fleet of 142 yachts have entered the 2025 Sydney to Hobart race.
Thousands of spectators are expected to gather on the water and surrounding clifftops at 1pm on Boxing Day to see off this almost record-breaking fleet.
There will also be plenty of punters following the action at home, so that’s why we’ve drawn together this list of potential picks for the big race.
We’ve identified who we think are the favourites for the 2025 Sydney to Hobart yacht race as well as one or two monkeys that could be about to spring a mutiny and upset the established order of things.
Remember though, In the Sydney to Hobart race, there are two trophies up for grabs. One for Line Honours, which goes to the first boat to physically cross the finish line (the fastest boat).
They are awarded the J.H. Illingworth Challenge Cup, while the Overall Winner (Tattersall Cup) is the boat with the best overall time after handicaps are applied, making it the true measure of overall sailing skill across different boat sizes.
Does all of that make sense? Good. Now, if you’re looking for the latest news, analysis, odds and tips check out our 2025 Sydney to Hobart Preview and Predictions below!
Sydney to Hobart 2025 Predictions
Master Lock Comanche
100-footer Master Lock Comanche is shaping as the favourite for the 2025 Sydney to Hobart.
With a recent victory in the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, it has proven its speed and crew coordination. The team, led by James Mayo, is focused on redemption after a setback in 2024 due to a torn mainsail
URM Group
URM Group is the other main favourite here. The Reichel/Pugh Maxi 72 delivered an exceptional performance in the Overall Division of the Australian Maxi Championships, with owners Anthony and David Johnston and skipper Marcus Ashley-Jones demolishing the competition.
Having secured four consecutive race victories, URM Group has been earmarked as genuine contenders for the coveted Tattersall Cup awarded to the Overall Sydney Hobart winner.
LawConnect
Despite being the current back-to-back Line Honours winner of the Sydney to Hobart, it’s possible to argue that Master lock Comanche and URM Group are currently more favoured than LawConnect.
The Juan K 100 Custom yacht is aiming for a third consecutive win in the 2025 Sydney to Hobart. With Olympian Ian Thorpe joining the crew, the yacht brings a mix of experience and fresh energy. Known for thrilling finishes, it remains a top contender
Celestial V70
Celestial V70, a Volvo 70, is the defending Tattersall Cup champion (overall winner). It also managed a second-place Line Honours finish last year and now the team onboard have upgraded its sail wardrobe to hopefully snag first.
Wild Thing 100
The final boat to watch is Wild Thing 100. A Maxi yacht, it has shown strong form leading into this race, claiming Line Honours in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast.
Skipper Grant Wharington has plans to further enhance the yacht's rigging, hoping to make it a formidable competitor in longer offshore races such as this one.
How to Watch Sydney to Hobart 2025
The Sydney to Hobart yacht race has once again partnered with Nine’s multi-platform media network to broadcast the iconic race.
The live broadcast of the 80th Sydney to Hobart will be on the free-to-air Channel Nine and subsidiary 9Gem.
There are also live-stream options available on their video-on-demand service 9Now for everyone looking to tune in via the internet on Boxing Day.
Sydney to Hobart 2025 Time and Date
Start Date: Friday, December 26, 2025.
Start time: 12:00pm AEDT.
Location: Sydney Harbour to River Derwent.
Distance: 628 nautical miles (1,163kms).
Where to watch: Nine Network.