Overview
- The Bureau of Meteorology warns of strong southerlies near 25 knots and three-to-four metre waves after Sydney Heads on Boxing Day, with winds forecast to ease along the New South Wales and Tasmanian coasts over the weekend.
- Skippers caution that the first night will be cold, wet and upwind, with likely retirements, injuries and gear damage, though officials do not expect a repeat of last year’s catastrophic conditions.
- Race organisers mandate man overboard detection devices for all crew and require at least half of each crew to have completed their boat’s qualifying race, following an investigation into the 2024 deaths.
- The fleet plans to scatter rose petals off Bondi Beach to honour victims of the recent attack there, with organisers now expecting participation across all boats.
- Line-honours contenders include Master Lock Comanche, LawConnect and SHK Scallywag 100, the race record is considered unlikely, and LawConnect adds five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe as a guest crew member.