SYDNEY TO HOBART YACHT RACE This renowned yachting challenge was initiated in 1945 and begins each Boxing Day (26th. December) when racers leave Sydney Harbour on a 628 nautical mile challenge to Hobart in Tasmania. There are 2 divisions. The International Measurement System (IMS), based on a computer assessment of speed and conditions, and the Tasman Performance Handicap System, a system devised for yachts not rated under the IMS. Stragglers in the event can finish up to 7 days after leaving Sydney and the event has earned a reputation as one of the world's finest open sea challenges. In 2007 the line honours win by Wild Oats X1 equalled the record established in 1945/46/47 of three consecutive wins by the yacht Morna. Wild Oats X1 also set the race record in 2005 of 1 Day. 18hours. 40mimutes and 10seconds. Skipper Mark Richards has vowed to go for a fourth line honours victory in 2008. Winners from 1945 are:

Photo of Wild Oats X1 from the Cruising Yacht Club Files.

Year	Line Honours	Time:(Days: Hrs. Mins.)	Handicap Winner
1945	Rani	6: 14.22	Rani
1946	Morna	5: 02.53	Christina
1947	Morna	5: 03.03	Westward
1948	Morna	4: 05.01	Westward
1949	Waltzing Matilda	5: 10.33	Trade Winds
1950	Margaret Rintoul	5: 05.28	Nerida
1951	Margaret Rintoul	4: 02.29	Struen Marie
1952	Nocturne	6: 02.34	Ingrid
1953	Solveig	5: 07.12	Ripple
1954	Kurrewa IV	5: 06.09	Solveig
1955	Even	4: 18.13	Moonbi
1956	Kurrewa IV	4: 04.31	Solo
1957	Kurrewa IV	3: 18.30	Anitra V
1958	Solo	5: 02.32	Siandra
1959	Solo	4: 13.33	Cherana
1960	Kurrewa IV	4: 08.11	Siandra
1961	Astor	4: 04.42	Rival
1962	Ondine	3: 03.46	Solo
1963	Astor	4: 10.53	Freya
1964	Astor	3: 20.05	Freya
1965	Stormvogel	3: 20.30	Freya
1966	Fidelis	4: 08.39	Cadence
1967	Pen Duick III	4: 04.10	Rainbow II
1968	Ondine II	4: 30.20	Koomooloo
1969	Crusade	3: 15.07	Morning Cloud
1970	Buccaneer	3: 14.06	Pacha
1971	Kialoa	2: 14.36	Rampage
1972	American Eagle	3: 04.42	American Eagle
1973	Helsal	3: 01.32	Ceil III
1974	Ondine III	3: 13.51	Love and War
1975	Kialoa	2: 14.36	Rampage
1976	Ballyhoo	3: 07.59	Piccolo
1977	Kialoa	3: 10.14	Kialoa
1978	Apollo	4: 02.23	Love and War
1979	Bumblebee IV	4: 01.45	Screw Loose
1980	New Zealand	2: 18.45	New Zealand
1981	Vengeance	3: 22.30	Zeus II
1982	Condor of Bermuda	3: 00.59	Scallywag
1983	Condor	3: 00.50	Challenge II
1984	New Zealand	3: 11.31	Indian Pacific
1985	Apollo	3: 04.32	Sagacious
1986	Condor	2: 23.26	Ex Tension
1987	Sovereign	2: 21.58	Sovereign
1988	Ragamuffin	3: 15.29	Illusion
1989	Drumbeat	3: 06.21	Ultimate Challenge
1990	Ragamuffin	2: 21.05	Sagacious V
1991	Brindabella	3: 01.14	Atara
1992	New Zealand Endeavour	3: 08.19	Assassin/Ragamuffin
1993	Ninety Seven	4: 00.54	Cuckoos Nest / Wild Oats
1994	Tasmania	3: 05.48	Raptor / Aggro
1995	Sayonara	3: 00.53	Terra Firma
1996	Morning Glory
1997	Brindabella
1998	Sayonara		Midnight Rambler
1999	Nokia		Yandi
2000	Nicorette	02.14.	Wild Thing
2001	Assa Abloy		Bumblebee V
2002	Alfa Romeo		Quest
2004	Nicorette		Aera
2005	Wild Oats X1	01.18.14 (Race Record>	Wild Oats
2006	Wild Oats X1	02.08.56	Love and War
2007	Wild Oats X1	01.21.24	Rosebud
2008	Wild Oats X1	01.20.34	Quest