More than 100 yachts are set to compete in the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with just over two weeks still to go until entries close.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the organiser of the race, has welcomed entrants from around Australia and across the world, with a high calibre and diverse fleet assembling for the historic race.
Boats range from the smallest boat in the line-up, Sean Langman’s 9-metre Ranger, Maluka, skippered by his son Peter, to the four 100-foot maxis – Andoo Comanche, Black Jack, Hamilton Island Wild Oats and LawConnect.
Black Jack, LawConnect, Stefan Racing and SHK Scallywag 100 at the start of the 2021 Sydney Hobart Race Photo: Andrea Francolini
With 18 two-handed boats already entered, more than the total number of two-handed starters in the 2021 race, the 77th edition of the Sydney Hobart promises to deliver plenty of entertainment.
"The CYCA is excited to see such a competitive fleet building for the 2022 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race," said CYCA Commodore Arthur Lane.
"This year’s race is on track to be one of the biggest this century, and it is pleasing to see such a wide variety of yachts on the entry list."
The 100-boat milestone was reached as Tony Levett entered his Sydney 38, TSA Management (previously known as Eleni).
Levett has campaigned TSA Management in every Sydney Hobart since 2004, barring the 2016 race, winning the Sydney 38 division in 2010 and 2011.
The boat was one of many to succumb to the conditions in the 2021 race, and Levett is eager to get back on the race track.
"We didn't have a good race last year, so we're hoping for a better race this time," he said.
"We got hit by a 40-knot squall off Wollongong and ripped a main when we were trying to reef it, so that was the end of the race for us.
"It was the first time we'd gone out that early. After all that preparation, it was only a few hours of sailing, so we look forward to getting further down the track this time."
This will be Levett’s 18th Sydney Hobart, and he will likely have a new-look crew on board, with many of those who raced last year now unavailable.
TSA Management is currently one of four Sydney 38s in the fleet, alongside Kim Jaggar’s Sydney-based Cinquante and two entrants from New Caledonia – Eye Candy (Thierry Leseigneur) and Poulpito (David Treguier).
"The boat is the same as it always was," Levett said. "Back in 2004, we were a middle-of-the-road boat in terms of length.
"Now we're one of the smallest! Everyone else got bigger, and we stayed the same.
"Having four or five Sydney 38s will make it a good fleet to compete against."
Entries for the 2022 Sydney Hobart close at 1700hrs on Friday, 28 October 2022.
