Sydney to Hobart canceled..

Syd is dead

From Sailing Anarchy

Confirming the decision with just six days to go before the traditional start on Boxing Day, the Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Noel Cornish, said “We are bitterly disappointed to cancel the race this year especially considering the plans and preparations we had put in place to have a COVID Safe event”.

As reported yesterday by SA, the Northern Beaches local area of Sydney has been classified a “High Risk” zone for COVID which would prevent any residents from that region travelling to Tasmania. 

Later, the whole of Greater Sydney was defined as “Medium Risk”. Anyone entering Tasmania from Sydney is now required to quarantine for fourteen days on arrival. 

That restriction would apply to all competitors, families, race management and staff. To proceed with the race under those conditions would be unrealistic. Cornish emphasized that the primary consideration for the CYCA was the safety of everyone involved. “We were so well prepared to run the race. This is the first time in 76 years that the race will not be conducted”.

It is unlikely that the restrictions that forced the cancellation will be lifted in the immediate future.  The immense logistics involved in reorganizing and running a significant sporting event such as the Hobart race, as well as the planning and preparation required by crews, makes postponing the event impractical. 

– anarchist David