Please select your home edition
Edition
Sunstorm Marine - Winch Handle Bag

Oldest videos from the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

by Magnus Smith 14 Jan 2024 12:00 GMT
Sydney Hobart Yacht Race start 1950 © Reueters

Our video archive is fully searchable, and linked to all the clubs and classes in our database. It is updated weekly with the latest videos of sailing, and whilst lots of Rolex Sydney Hobart 2023 videos were added just last week, here we will delve into the past, and round-up all the old footage we can find.

Update: we later found 1945 Sydney Hobart which is even earlier

We start with an early video, just three years after the iconic race first started. See the start of the 1948 race below. It features 'Morna', 'Mistral', 'Nautilus', 'Defiance' and more - plus some group shots of the 28 starters.

Update: we later found More from the 1948 race

The footage from the 1950 start is much shorter, and mentions there were only 15 starters. As above, the Pom narrator's voice will be a delight to any Aussie's ear...

Update: we later found London Boat Show 1959 included the Sydney to Hobart race

Jumping ahead many years, 43 yachts start in 1963 is the next we can offer you.

We have more from the sixties: 1965 race coverage.

Then the 1966 start shows 46 yachts leaving the harbour. There is footage of Peggy Slater helming 'Nam Sang' through the Heads in the lead.

Update: we later found 1968 Sydney Hobart footage

A very jolly soundtrack accompanies the narration for the 1970 race summary.

Finally we have moved far enough ahead to have colour footage! This Sydney Hobart race 1977 documentary which was broadcast on ABC. 130 yachts entered, apparently. There are several interviews. Sadly, we cannot embed the video, so we have to...

Now for a more personal story, with Sydney to Hobart 1990 aboard 'Bobsled', thanks to David Mackay. Again, we cannot embed the video, so we have to...

Below is a 26 minute promotional film made about the Telstra Sydney Hobart 1997 (won by 'Brindabella') which starts with a little footage of 'Morning Glory' winning the 1996 race.

What of the other decades?

Do you know the location of any other Sydney Hobart videos from before the year 2000? We would love to share these with other sailors. You can submit video links to us for immediate review.

Keep watching with:

Related Articles

Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted today at 5:39 am
Project FEAR is in the final few days
Charity circumnavigation almost over, in record time, with a record total raised Jazz Turner is expected to reach home (Brighton Marina) on Monday 30th June or Tuesday 1st July. She has sailed round the British Isles - all round Ireland and the Shetland Islands - without any assistance in 27 days so far. Posted on 28 Jun
Funding for clubs transforms sailing opportunities
During the latest RYA Participation Webinar we heard from UK clubs about their experiences During the latest RYA Participation Webinar we heard from a range of UK clubs, walking through their case studies, and then heard from experts in finance who talked us through the opportunities and pitfalls of acquiring funds. Posted on 26 Jun
A brief history of marine instrument networks
Hugh Agnew has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge One man who has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge, is Hugh Agnew, the Cambridge-educated mathematician who is one of the founders of A+T Instruments in Lymington, so I spoke to him to find out more... Posted on 25 Jun
Project FEAR turns southwards
Charity circumnavigation progress report from the Shetland Islands Last month I didn't even know that Muckle Flugga existed. Yet today, the very name of the island brought tears of emotion to my eyes, as I heard Jazz Turner scream it out in victory, in a video she took when passing the lighthouse. Posted on 22 Jun
The Big Bash
Every summer the tournament rolls into town. A short format of the game. Fun and excitement abound. Every summer the tournament rolls into town. Local and international players. A short format of the game, run over a relatively compact six-week season. Posted on 15 Jun
The oldest video footage of Kiel Week
A look back into our video archive at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s In our series of articles looking back in time through our video archive, we visit Germany. Kiel Week is been a crucial event on the world circuit, and here we look back at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s. Posted on 15 Jun
Jazz Turner's fundraising target is smashed
Already £30k raised for Sailability, so it's time to up the ante Jazz Turner has now passed the northern-most tip of Ireland and is on her way to the Shetland Islands, and at the same time her fundraising total of £30,000 has been smashed! Posted on 15 Jun
The X-Yachts Gold Cup Experience
A celebration of sailing, of X-Yachts and, most importantly of all, people Having just returned from Haderslev, Denmark - which is the home of X-Yachts and played host to the X-Yachts Gold Cup 2025 - I was left wondering if this was a racing event, a rally or a social celebration amongst close friends. Posted on 10 Jun
Jazz Turner is now nearing Ireland
Fundraising circumnavigation almost hits the £30k target after just 8 days afloat As at the 10th June Jazz is 8 days out from Brighton, and starting to near Ireland. Jazz had hoped to be further along than this, but the winds have been forcing her to stay close-hauled ever since she started. Posted on 10 Jun