Overview
- Wednesday's mandatory race briefing opened with a minute's silence for Nick Smith and Roy Quaden, the two sailors who died in 2024.
- The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts southerly winds up to 25 knots after the Boxing Day start off Sydney Heads, with conditions expected to ease on Saturday and Sunday.
- Race officials say the fleet should expect cold, wet and bumpy sailing early, a clear departure from last year's catastrophic first night.
- Organizers say the deaths remain front of mind, with reported changes to safety protocols in place for the 2025 edition.
- A fleet of 129 boats is set to start on Friday, and the very strong downwind conditions needed to threaten LDV Comanche’s 2017 record are not expected.