Join the race crew for an iconic ocean race
The Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is one of the toughest and most respected Category 1 ocean races in the world. It’s the only major race that starts in a harbour, takes in a passage and finishes in a river. This edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, with a fleet in excess of 100 yachts expected, and yachts ranging from 36 to 100 foot in length. The electric pre-race village atmosphere at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) followed by the excitement of the build-up to the start on Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day is hard to describe.
With thousands of spectator vessels, helicopters overhead and hundreds of thousands of people lining the Sydney waterfront and cliff tops, the race start at 1pm on Boxing Day each year is an Australian sporting tradition. We'll assemble in Sydney late on Christmas Day, start the race at 1pm on Boxing Day and arrive in Hobart in time for New Years celebrations, the Taste of Tasmania Festival and a range of great local activities and sights. It’s an absolutely unique experience from the moment to land in Sydney to the time you depart Hobart.
Sydney Harbour Start
Experience the electric atmosphere as the race begins in Sydney Harbour, with cheering crowds lining the shoreline and a flurry of spectator boats creating an unforgettable send-off. The fleet battles for position while navigating through the iconic Heads, the gateway to the open ocean.
Tasman Sea Challenge
Once in the Tasman Sea, the race reveals its true character. Conditions can range from calm, sunlit days with sweeping views of Australia’s rugged coastline to powerful southerly winds and towering seas that test skill and endurance.
Ocean Wildlife and Night Skies
Spot dolphins surfing the bow waves and seabirds gliding overhead during the day. At night, the vast expanse of stars lights the horizon, offering moments of calm amid the intensity of offshore racing.
Navigating Bass Strait
Cross one of the most notorious stretches of water in the world, where weather systems can change rapidly and tactical decisions are critical to race performance.
Approach to Tasmania
Sail into the dramatic landscapes of Storm Bay and the Derwent River as the race draws to a close. The triumphant arrival in Hobart is met with a festive welcome and the camaraderie of fellow sailors, marking the perfect end to an extraordinary challenge.
Hobart’s Celebration
Join the lively post-race celebrations along the waterfront, where the docks buzz with music, food, and stories shared between crews and supporters from around the world.
Take on your dedicated crew role onboard and master your area of responsibility and how you interact and communicate with the race crew.
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route for each days race course.
Navigating around rocks, reefs and islands , hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Crew planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Planning our daily course around weather, islands, big 3-4m tides and the island effect on wind strength and direction.
Master your sail trimming onboard a high performance yacht. There will be plenty of hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, asymmetric kites, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
Use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
Step aboard Awen, a high-performance ocean-going yacht built for adventure, discovery, and unforgettable sailing experiences. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of offshore passages, island-hopping through remote archipelagos, or enjoying sunset sails with a like-minded crew, Awen offers the perfect blend of speed, adventure and capability. With experienced skippers, hands-on sailing opportunities, and ever-changing seascapes, every journey on Awen is a chance to disconnect from the ordinary and reconnect with nature, adventure, and yourself.
Pre-Race Training Weekend
Enhance your race preparation with an intensive 3-day offshore training program designed to sharpen your skills and build teamwork before the big event.
18 Dec 2026
Training starts: 10.00am
20 Dec 2026
Training ends: 3.00pm
The Race
You can fly directly into Sydney Airport on the 24th or 25th of December for the race (or 17th of December if you are combining your travel with the 3-day training weekend on 18-20 December as well). Our crew will officially re-assemble on Christmas Day by 4:00pm and you will join us for a crew dinner.
On the 26th of December we'll meet for breakfast early and then run through final checks and preparations. We'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and get you ready for departure from the dock around 11:30am. Its a 3-4 day sail to Hobart with arrival expected on the 29-30 December.
When we arrive in Hobart, we'll do the customary sail past the crowd on Constitution Dock, before tying up at the marina and heading to the Custom House (open 24 hours) for an arrival drink or two. We'll attend a number of events in Hobart including a New Years Eve party, The Taste of Tasmania and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race Presentation. You should plan to fly out of Hobart after midday on the 1st of January. Most of our crew will depart around the 2nd - 3rd of January, so plan to stay on and enjoy the 3-4 days in Hobart at the end of the race, as it truly is a celebration you will never forget.
25 Dec 2026
Fly into Sydney Airport
Arrive at the vessel at CYCA by 4.00pm
26 - 30 Dec 2026
Race start at 1:00pm on 26 Dec
Arrive in Hobart 29 - 30 Dec
31 Dec 2026
Depart Hobart Airport 5:00pm onwards
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, while training and racing, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, race entry fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device) and a safety tether.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, meals ashore at restaurants, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not available onboard, while in port prior to departure, due to the sparse nature of the race yacht fit out, lack of ventilation and lack of amenities onboard.
Prior to departure for the training and the race you will need to book 2-nights’ accommodation ashore for each. You will stay onboard for the duration of the race, while at sea and 1 night (optional) after arrival in port at the end of the passage.
We provide optional accommodation packages from 17 - 26 Dec 2026, that include transport (to and from marina) and in-house meals packages for our crew.
You can purchase as an add on item during the booking process, or closer to the event.
You can also arrange your own accommodation ashore: Options: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 1 month prior.
This yacht is best suited to agile people with moderate fitness and ideally a maximum weight of 110kg.
Previous Qualifying Event
A Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on an IMOCA Open 60 such as Awen, is a serious undertaking.
To be eligible to join the race crew for this event, you will need to complete a regatta, Cat 2 ocean race or passage onboard Awen in the 12 months prior to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race event. This will help you build your skills and confidence as crew on Awen and ensure that this event is the right next step for you. You can book your qualifying event at a later date, as long as its completed prior the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
Book and pay
Click Book Now button above to secure your place. Choose from Pay in Full or deposit options. Direct debit from bank account, debit card or credit card options available. Pay in the currency of your choice.
Personalise your payment plan
If you want to set up a payment plan, contact us here and let us know your desired deposit (minimum 10% required) and your preferred payment. You can make up to 18 payments, for the balance. You can choose the frequency and customise each payment amount.
Not ready to pay, but want to secure your place?
Reserve your place onboard today, with no obligation. We’ll send the confirmation details, itinerary, deposit invoice and be sure to answer all your questions, while you finalise your plans before confirming. Reserve here.
100% cancellation guarantee
If you book and then cancel prior to an event, for any reason, 100% of your payment will be issued as a credit, that you can apply to any future event/s. For a full refund of sailing trip, flights and hotel costs, we recommend travel insurance. View Terms & Conditions.
Members
Check for Member's availability here before booking this event, using Members Benefits. When you book Reserve your place here.