Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024 – 100 entrants

by RSHYR Media 23 Oct 23:18 PDT
26 December 2024

Bacardi set for another record run in Rolex Sydney Hobart & once again introducing new competitors to the Great Race

Bacardi, a 13.3m Peterson 44 yacht designed by Doug Peterson (USA) and built in 1978, has been a prominent figure in the Australian offshore racing community since her debut in the 1979 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Built in five months in the back of Middle Brighton Motors workshop by John Gould, Bacardi was originally designed to compete in the 1979 Australian Admiral’s Cup trials. Over the years, she has participated in 30 Sydney Hobart Yacht Races, completing 28 and achieving second overall in 2006 to another golden oldie and three-time winner, Love & War.

Known affectionately as ‘The Bus’. Bacardi has a proud tradition of fostering sailing talent, continuously introducing new sailors to the race. Now owned by Brett Averay, Darren Hunter and Cosmos Papatsaras, the yacht has introduced more sailors to this iconic bluewater classic than perhaps most other vessels, a legacy that her current ownership group is keen to uphold.

Averay shared, “When you look at who has sailed on Bacardi and who did their first Hobart on the yacht, it’s quite remarkable.”

One of those individuals is Matt Allen, now co-skipper of 100-foot maxi Comanche. Allen, bowman during their second Sydney Hobart in 1980, will make his return to Bacardi during the 2024 Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta from 13 to 15 December.

Averay and partners purchased Bacardi 12 months ago after nearly nine years of sailing with the previous owner, Martin Power. “We bought the boat to preserve its rich history; we would have hated to see ‘The Bus’ leave Sandringham Yacht Club where it has been registered since launching. In short, we just love sailing together on the boat; it’s just a great time,” Averay says.

The 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will be a significant milestone for Bacardi, as the Peterson 44 will compete in its 31st race south to Hobart. The yacht has finished all races apart from two: the first in 2010 when she lost her rig in rough seas and the second in 2023 due to hydraulic backstay failure.

“We bought the boat to preserve its rich history; we would have hated to see The Bus’ leave Sandringham Yacht Club.” — Breit Averay, co.owner Bacardi

Bacardi has a long-standing tradition of introducing new people to the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the owners – Averay, Hunter and Papatsaras – are committed to continuing that legacy. This year’s crew for the race includes Ollie Van der Slot, a 19-year-old sailor tackling his first Hobart.

Van der Slot shares where his passion and drive to participate in the race comes from: “My father was a passionate offshore sailor. Growing up I saw him leave on Boxing Day to go racing. His arrival in Hobart was something I looked forward to, as he was originally from there. It was our goal to finish the race together.”

Unfortunately, Van der Slot’s father passed away before the duo could complete this bucket list item.

“I have been sailing with Bacardi for nearly two years, so the owners know how much competing in the race means for me. I am very thankful to be given the chance to compete this year. I will be racing this year to honour my dad.” Van der Slot says.

I saw my dad leave on Boxing Day to go racing, his arrival in Hobart was something I always looked forward to.

It was our goal to finish the race together, so I will be racing this year to honour my dad.” — Ollie Van der Slot, crew on Bacardi

Since Bacardi’s first entry in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1979, nearly 50 people have undertaken their inaugural trip to Hobart on ‘The Bus’. Throughout 45 years of competing, 124 unique crew members have raced on the yacht, many of whom have returned for numerous editions of the Great Race South.

In 2023, Bacardi retired from the race due to hydraulic backstay issues, but she returns this year fully prepared to take on her 31st.

Bacardi Competing years:

• 1979 – 87th overall
• 1980 – 41st overall
• 1981 – 107th overall (sailed as Spotlight skippered M. Page)
• 1983 – 27th overall (skippered by J & C Howell)
• 1985 – 76th overall (John Williams/Graeme Ainley – bought boat from John Gould)
• 1986 – 48th overall
• 1987 – 96th overall
• 1988 – 37th overall
• 1990 – 30th overall (Class I, there were two classes)
• 1991 – 25th overall (IOR – IMS also introduced, nearly half fleet were in IMS)
• 1992 – 13th overall (IOR – IMS)
• 1993 – 5th overall, won Division 2 – IMS
• 1994 – 3rd IMS Division 3
• 1995 – 28th overall – 3rd Division D
• 1997 – 44th overall
• 1998 – 10th overall IMS
• 1999 – 18th overall as Summit Bacardi
• 2000 – 4th overall IRC as Summit Bacardi
• 2001 – 3rd overall
• 2002 – 17th overall
• 2004 – 17th overall, won 20yr Veterans
• 2006 – 2nd overall to Love & War
• 2008 – 62nd overall (first with Martin Power, new owner)
• 2009 – 32nd overall
• 2010 – Retired (first retirement, broken rig)
• 2011 – 53rd overall
• 2013 – 58th overall
• 2014 – 64th overall
• 2022 – 59th overall (Martin Power didn’t sail, skippered by B. Averay)
• 2023 – Retired (her second retirement only, skippered by B. Averay)

View the entrants here.