Michael ‘Spiesy’ Spies has officially entered the 2026 Rolex Sydney Hobart days after entries opened. With an impressive 47 previous Sydney Hobart races under his belt, his participation is a highlight for the event. This year, he will be racing aboard a J/160 named Maritimo 160, which he recently acquired and renamed.
Spies is known for his legendary status in the skiff and yachting community, having recently raced the 126-year-old Maritimo Katwinchar in the past two Sydney Hobarts. Maritimo 160, at 53 feet long, is significantly larger than the 33-foot Maritimo Katwinchar, providing Spies with a new challenge.
During a recent interview, Spies shared insights into his new venture while enjoying a holiday in Thailand. He expressed enthusiasm about the collective effort required to prepare Maritimo 160 for the race, stating, “It’s the poverty pack, everyone is doing their bit to get Maritimo 160 on the start line. It’s not a millionaires’ thing, but the boat has good pedigree.”
Owning a J/160 has been a longtime dream for Spies, as only 32 were manufactured and they are rarely available on the market. When Maritimo 160 became available earlier this year, he acted quickly to secure the deal, travelling to Long Beach, California, to oversee the reassembly and preparation of the yacht for offshore sailing. He praised the previous owner’s maintenance of the boat, noting its pristine condition due to its carbon fibre rig.
Spies will sail Maritimo 160 from California to Australia, with plans to stop in San Francisco for the Pacific Cup, a 2,100 nautical mile race to Hawaii. He has assembled a well-balanced crew of around seven people from various nationalities to ensure the yacht competes effectively.
After the Pacific Cup, Spies will sail to Hamilton Island, where he is part of the Race Management team for Hamilton Island Race Week. Finally, he will make his way to Sydney for the 81st Sydney Hobart race in December.
While Spies does not expect Maritimo 160 to break speed records, he is excited about racing what he calls his “forever boat.” Following the race, he envisions spending more leisurely time cruising, potentially exploring Queensland and Asia. “Every regatta I’ve done in the last four or five decades — you finish it and you’re on a plane to somewhere else. It’d just be nice to actually slow down a bit and enjoy life. It’s the sort of boat that you could comfortably live on.”
Registration for the 2026 Rolex Sydney Hobart is open until 1700 hours, Friday 23 October. More information can be found HERE.
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