Maritimo Racing

Since the cannon fired yesterday, our two yachts have been carving their way down the coast towards the bass straight in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Today, both crews are sitting at the top of their divisions—a testament to skill, strategy, and sheer determination.

The countdown is over! Maritimo 100 and the legendary Maritimo Katwinchar are primed for the Rolex Sydney Hobart setting sail today at 1:00 pm AEDT. Two icons of craftsmanship and racing heritage, ready to conquer one of the world’s toughest ocean classics. Fair winds, team Maritimo!

Maritimo Katwinchar & 100 in the 2025 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore Cabbage Tree Island Race. Considered the biggest lead-in to the Rolex Sydney Hobart got underway from Sydney Harbour on Friday night and featured the who’s who of offshore sailing.

Celestial V70 has put the fleet on notice, winning the on handicap. Line Honours went to Master Lock Comanche, with LawConnect in second and SHK Scallywag 100 in third.

The Cabbage Tree race is considered the best opportunity for Sydney Hobart competitors to improve sailing at night and to fine-tune crew work before the Great Race South three weeks later. The oldest competitor was Maritimo Katwinchar(33 feet) and her crew of 4 skippered by Michael Spies.

The iconic commenced this morning. Our Maritimo 52 led the start and is still in the lead. The conditions are slow, but our crew combined of experienced veterans, young 18 foot sailors and match racing champion Emma Rankin under the command of skipper, Michael Spies are the line honours favourites.

Our brave 120 year old yacht, Maritimo Katwinchar, is one of the latest of 26 retirements in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The Double Handed division entrant was off Eden on the NSW coast and is returning to Sydney after suffering bilge pump and cockpit drainage problems. It meant too much water in the boat for the crew to continue.

The crew are naturally disappointed but safe and in good spirits. The 120-year-old yacht was giving the fully-crewed yachts a run for their money on Overall standings earlier this morning, tracking along in third place at one point. They also led the Double Handed Division. Co-skipper Michael Spies described the experience: “Everything was good and all of a sudden, we saw a river of water and the bilge pump wasn’t keeping up. It was a hard call but safety first.”

There are 80 yachts still racing, with 26 retirements.
Currently standing in around 20th position in the fleet is our luxury superyacht, Maritimo 100. This marks owner Bill Barry-Cotter’s first race since 1976. And according to navigator Doug Johnstone, so far, so good. The wind has settled down to around 20 knots as they cross Bass Strait.

“We’re probably having one of the more comfortable rides of the entire fleet,” Johnstone said. “Watches take place in the [sheltered] cockpit saloon. We have two on deck refrigerators filled with soft drinks. We’re having nice hot meals prepared for us by our chef.

“We’re living it up properly for this race. If you’re to do a Sydney Hobart, this is the boat to do it on.”

Despite challenging conditions, including choppy conditions and 35-knot gusts along the south coast of NSW, Maritimo 100 and Maritimo Katwinchar continue towards Hobart. Skipper Bill Barry-Cotter conveyed his condolences to the families and crew impacted by the two deaths during the race. “Our thoughts are with the crews of the yachts after their teammates were tragically taken”. Rolex Sydney Hobart

Maritimo Racing | We're excited to announce that we'll again have two entries in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race – a superb Oyster 100, called Maritimo 100, and our painstakingly restored, 120-year-old timber yacht, Maritimo Katwinchar. Read more; www.maritimo.com.au/maritimo-to-race-the-most-luxurious-maxi-and-the-oldest-yacht-in-the-2024-rolex-sydney-hobart-race/