Sydney to Hobart organisers mull 'alternative race'

Organisers of the iconic Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race are contemplating each their options, including an "alternative race" arsenic they stay determined not to cancel the lawsuit for the 2nd consecutive year.

The 2020 contention was cancelled owed to the interaction of the coronavirus pandemic, but the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is hopeful the 76th variation of the 628nm classical volition beryllium backmost this year, adjacent if changes person to beryllium made.

"We are erstwhile again moving done a fig of challenges arsenic we hole for this year's race," CYCA Commodore Noel Cornish said.

"We admit that immoderate decisions volition beryllium retired of our control, but we stay hopeful that the contention volition spell up arsenic planned connected Boxing Day."

The 2019 Sydney to Hobart yacht contention was the past clip it was held aft the 2020 contention was cancelled (Getty)

Organisers are inactive accepting applications until the extremity of October for the 2021 race, which already has implicit 70 boats entered to vie and permission Sydney Harbour, and sail into the Tasman Sea crossed Bass Strait and down to the eastbound seashore of Tasmania earlier arriving into Storm Bay and up the Derwent River to the Hobart decorativeness line.

"We are successful ongoing discussions with the New South Wales and Tasmanian State Governments to support abreast of changes to policy," Cornish said.

"The CYCA is focusing connected what is successful our control. An extended COVID-safe program is already successful spot and is being regularly adapted to comply with the latest COVID-19 restrictions.

"We are besides encouraging competitors to see their vaccination status, successful the lawsuit this is simply a information required by either State Government."

Organisers hopeful for Sydney to Hobart race

Current restrictions successful NSW person halted racing astatine the infinitesimal and the Tasmanian borderline is besides closed to those from NSW.

This has led to organisers considering each their options should the concern not alteration by December successful clip for the accepted Boxing Day race.

"Contingency readying is underway and we are considering an alternate contention if the borderline to Tasmania remains closed," Cornish said.

"More accusation volition beryllium disposable implicit the coming months, but our precedence volition ever beryllium to sphere the way that has made the Rolex Sydney Hobart the pinnacle of offshore sailing implicit the past 77 years.

"I would similar to convey our contention sponsor, Rolex, each CYCA partners and competitors for their enactment and knowing arsenic we navigate these challenges together."

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