Sydney to Hobart Campaign
The iconic 628-nautical-mile Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is one of the world’s toughest ocean challenges—often called the Everest of amateur yacht racing. Each year, more than 100 yachts take on the elements and the competition in a suberb test of seamanship, endurance, and teamwork. Completing this legendary offshore race is a major milestone on any sailor’s resume.
Description
The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is one of the world’s great offshore challenges — a true test of seamanship, teamwork, tactical decision-making, and endurance.
Success in an event of this calibre comes from preparation. The Flying Fish campaign is designed to ensure that both crew and yacht are fully prepared to meet the demands of this iconic race and enjoy the experience with confidence.
Each year our crews bring together sailors from around Australia and around the world. Some arrive with thousands of offshore miles, while others are taking on their first major ocean challenge. What unites everyone is a spirit of adventure, teamwork, and the desire to do something extraordinary.
Crossing the finish line at Constitution Dock and stepping ashore in Hobart is an achievement few sailors ever forget.
Meet Flying Fish Arctos
This year’s Flying Fish team is racing Flying Fish Arctos — a proven and powerful cutter-rigged Radford / McIntyre 55 originally built for a Southern Ocean circumnavigation.
Arctos has successfully completed 18 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races and has achieved outstanding results including second in class in 2009 and first in class in both 2010 and 2017.
Throughout the campaign you become part of the crew — standing watches, trimming sails, helming, navigating, and sharing the unique experience of offshore racing as a team.
Campaign schedule
Week 1 – Crew training and offshore qualifying passage
The programme begins with four days of structured training and preparation on Sydney Harbour.
Training includes upwind and downwind sailing, reefing, headsail changes, spinnaker handling, helming, and essential offshore safety drills — ensuring every crew member becomes confident with both the yacht and their role on board.
This is followed by a valuable 24-hour offshore qualifying passage, a requirement of the race organisers, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day provide time for well-earned rest and recovery before race preparations and the excitement of Boxing Day.
Week 2 – Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
The Boxing Day start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is one of Australia’s great sporting events, and lining up on the start line as a competitor is an unforgettable experience.
After the dramatic Sydney Harbour send-off, we head offshore and race south along the Australian coastline, crossing Bass Strait before turning at Tasman Island into Storm Bay.
The final sail up the River Derwent and arrival at Constitution Dock is one of offshore sailing’s great moments, with race crews welcomed into the historic waterfront precinct of Hobart.
We expect to arrive in time to enjoy Hobart’s festive atmosphere and New Year celebrations.
Taste of Tasmania
After the race, enjoy Hobart at its summer best. Tasmania’s renowned food, wine, and waterfront atmosphere provide the perfect way to celebrate completing one of sailing’s great adventures.
Typical crews include men and women from their 20s through to their 60s+, with many participants joining solo and quickly becoming part of the team.
Before you start
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is one of the world’s great offshore challenges and demands crew who are suitably experienced, prepared, and capable of operating safely in offshore conditions.
Before joining the campaign, please ensure you meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Crew members must be at least 18 years old.
- Crew must have completed either a World Sailing Category 1 race or an offshore passage accepted as equivalent by the race organisers within 10 years of the race start.
If you do not yet meet this requirement, you can join our Sydney to Hobart Qualifying Passage to gain the required offshore experience and qualifying miles. - Crew must hold a current World Sailing approved Offshore Safety and Sea Survival Certificate, or recognised equivalent.
Flying Fish runs this course shortly before the campaign begins, allowing crew to complete this requirement before race preparation starts.
If you are unsure whether your experience or qualifications meet the requirements, please get in touch — we are happy to help assess your eligibility and suggest the most suitable pathway.
What's included
- The package includes safety equipment, race tuition, pre-event reading, onboard accommodation, and meals during the race and overnight qualifying passage.
- Your crew package also includes a Sydney to Hobart race jacket and polo.
- Crew may stay on the yacht at Middle Harbour Yacht Club during the training week and on arrival in Hobart. Meals are not provided during these marina-based periods, but cafés and restaurants are nearby.
- For extra comfort, we recommend booking your own shore-based accommodation in Sydney and Hobart.
- All crew must depart the yacht in Hobart by 10:00am on 2 January at the latest.
Qualifications and experience gained
- Approximately 1,000 logged sea miles on completion of the programme
- Experience racing in a premium Category 1 offshore yacht race
- Offshore passage-making experience during the qualifying passage
- Practical experience with watch systems, safety routines, and race crew procedures
What next?
- Ready for more racing? Join us for Hamilton Island Race Week and continue building your race experience in the Whitsundays.
- If you are interested in training as a skipper, explore our RYA Yachtmaster courses and take the next step towards Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore certification.
Testimonials
- Ian Horrocks – Australia
- Hamilton Island Race Week and Sydney to Hobart 2018
- “Since our first interaction at Hamilton Island Race Week through to the celebrations in Hobart, the Flying Fish team have been outstanding — professional, knowledgeable, safety-focused and, above all, great fun.”
- Iain Wilcock – UK
- Sydney to Hobart Campaign aboard SV Arctos -2025
- “Signing up for a race without knowing the crew or the boat is always a bit of a gamble — but Arctos was ideal and a fantastic yacht to sail. Drew and Matt were outstanding: great with people and excellent at running the boat. Overall, an unforgettable way to experience the Great Race.”
- Horro – Australia
- Flying Fish Arctos, Sydney to Hobart 2019
- “This is the second time I have raced to Hobart with Flying Fish on the mighty Arctos. I have no hesitation recommending the programme to any sailor — whether it’s your first Hobart or your tenth.”
Faq
- Booking information
- Secure your place with a 20% holding deposit using the links above. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the campaign start.
- Deposits are non-refundable but may be transferred to another Flying Fish course or event with at least 60 days’ notice.
- Places are limited and typically fill early.
- View our Terms and Conditions.
- Who typically joins the Sydney to Hobart campaign?
- Our crews bring together sailors from around Australia and around the world.
- Participants commonly range from their 20s through to their 60s+, with a mix of men and women.
- Some arrive with extensive offshore experience while others are taking on a personal challenge or bucket-list adventure.
- You do not need to be a professional racer — attitude, teamwork, preparation, and a willingness to learn matter far more.
- Why join the Sydney to Hobart campaign?
- Take part in one of the world’s most respected offshore sailing events.
- Develop real offshore sailing skills including watch systems, sail changes, teamwork, and ocean passage-making.
- Experience spectacular scenery, strong camaraderie, and a genuine sense of achievement.
- Many crew leave with significantly improved confidence, offshore capability, and lifelong memories.
- Am I too old or inexperienced?
- Not necessarily.
- Many successful crew members join later in life and find the challenge incredibly rewarding.
- Offshore sailing depends more on mindset, preparation, teamwork, and endurance than raw athletic ability.
- If you are reasonably active and comfortable spending extended periods on a yacht, you may be surprised how achievable the campaign can be.
- Do people join alone?
- Absolutely — many participants join independently.
- Shared training, watch systems, and offshore experiences quickly turn crews into teams and often lead to lasting friendships.
- How should I prepare?
- Arrive reasonably fit — good mobility, endurance, and core strength make the campaign more enjoyable.
- Practise sail handling, reefing, man-overboard recovery, and offshore routines where possible.
- Refresh your understanding of IRPCS, weather, sail trim, and offshore safety.
- Come ready to contribute — you are an active crew member, not a passenger.
- What should I pack?
- Detailed joining instructions will be provided after booking.
- Bring quality foul weather gear, thermal layers, non-marking shoes, gloves, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, medications, and a headlamp with red light mode.
- Pack light — soft bags work best on board.
- What conditions should I expect?
- Conditions may vary from warm downwind sailing to strong fronts, rough seas, and cold overnight watches.
- Preparation, adaptability, and teamwork are all part of the experience.
- What if I get seasick?
- If you are susceptible, begin your preferred medication before departure.
- Stay hydrated, eat small regular meals, and spend time on deck looking at the horizon.
- Do I need insurance?
- Yes — personal insurance is required.
- Flying Fish insurance covers the yacht and staff but not personal injury, illness, belongings, or travel disruption.
- Your policy should ideally include offshore sailing, medical cover, personal accident, travel interruption, and emergency evacuation.
- Bring a copy of your insurance details and emergency contacts.