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Skippers of nearly 130 yachts set sail on a “bumpy” Sydney to Hobart ocean race on Friday, many scattering rose petals for the Bondi Beach shooting victims as they ventured into rolling seas.
On a cool, grey summer’s day at Sydney Harbour, crowds gathered around the shore or watched from scores of boats as a starting cannon set the fleet on its way for the race’s 80th edition.
Scores of sailors paid a special tribute to those who died on 14 December when gunmen attacked a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and wounding scores more.
As yachts passed the beach, they spread rose petals on the ocean “out of respect for the tragic loss of life”, said Sam Haynes, commodore of the race organiser, the Cruising Yacht Club of Sydney.

In a thrilling start to the renowned Sydney to Hobart yacht race, LawConnect, one of the five elite 100-foot supermaxis, surged ahead, leading the pack out of the harbour and outpacing the favored supermaxi Comanche.

The sails of boats visible above choppy, dark seas.

During this iconic event, numerous sailors took a moment to honor the victims of the recent Bondi terror attack, paying their respects through a heartfelt tribute.

Crew members are bracing themselves for challenging conditions, anticipating waves reaching up to four meters and winds topping 25 knots as they embark on the 628-nautical-mile journey from Sydney to Tasmania.
Two sailors died last year in separate incidents as gale-force winds and big seas pummelled the Sydney-Hobart fleet.
Olympic swimming great Ian Thorpe is entering the Sydney-Hobart race for the first time aboard LawConnect, which is aiming to be first across the finish line for a third straight year.
“I’ve spent my life in and around water, but this is a completely different test, both mentally and physically,” Thorpe said.

The race saw a reduction in participants as the 55-foot yacht Yendys withdrew just before the start due to a broken backstay, a crucial line that stabilizes the mast, bringing the fleet down to 128 competitors.

Yacht tipping sideways in choppy water, with a helicopter flying overhead.

Onboard footage captured a poignant moment as Thorpe and skipper Christian Beck released petals into the sea, adding a solemn touch to the high-seas adventure.

Weather is a critical factor in the race, which was first held in 1945, with winds often shifting rapidly in direction and intensity.

In 1998, when a deep depression exploded over the fleet in the Bass Strait, six men died, five boats sank and 55 sailors were rescued.
Last year, 30 of the 104 yachts failed to finish.
There are 17 international entrants, including those from Germany, Hong Kong, the United States and Poland.
There are 13 women owners and skippers, but only one entry has an all-woman crew — First Light, captained by Elizabeth Tucker as part of her preparations for the 2027-28 Global Solo Challenge, a single-handed, non-stop round-the-world race.
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