Entries are now open for the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s 2025 Melbourne to Hobart “Westcoaster” Yacht Race. The race, spanning 435 nautical miles from Portsea Pier to Hobart, will commence at 1:30pm (AEST) on Saturday, 27th December.
Known as one of the world’s best ocean races, the Melbourne to Hobart is a prestigious blue-water classic that provides an exhilarating challenge for skippers and crews. Participants will face spectacular sailing conditions along Tasmania’s stunning coastline, as they navigate the challenging Southern Ocean.
ORCV Commodore Cyrus Allen, a veteran of the M2H and 2025 Melbourne to Osaka competitor, emphasised the race’s significance: “The Westcoaster is about grit, seamanship, and the raw beauty of Tasmania’s untamed West Coast. It’s a real race for everyday sailors looking for true adventure, not just a celebration at the dock.”
The race is anticipated to attract a robust fleet of fully-crewed monohull and multihull boats, including entries equipped with autohelm, as well as a strong showing of double-handed teams. Competitors will also vie for the race record set by the multihull Rushour in the previous year.
Among the early registrants is the Lidgard 36, Alien, skippered by renowned sailor Justin Brenan from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. Brenan, a stalwart of the ORCV racing programme for over 20 years, is a five-time overall winner of the race.
Also making a return is the Spirit of Downunder, skippered by Rick Whitehouse from RYCV, a 12-metre Cameron De Lange boat that has claimed line honours twice and won on performance handicap in 2008.
The ORCV is pleased to announce On Track Meals as a new premium partner for the 2025 race, joining existing sponsors such as Grace Removals, Strait Link, National Pies, and the Tasmanian Government (Events Tasmania). Erin Wyatt, Marketing Director of On Track Meals, highlighted the importance of providing reliable meals for sailors during challenging offshore conditions, stating, “This partnership is a chance for us to support the sailing community we admire, to make life that little bit easier when crews are pushing themselves and their boats to the limit.”
The race employs handicapping systems to ensure fair competition among various boat designs and performances. Participants will compete for the prestigious Heemskerk Perpetual Trophy, awarded based on the AMS handicap, along with the coveted yellow Westcoaster cap.
The Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race is a focal point of the ORCV’s Offshore Championship Series. Early bird entries close on Monday, 10th November, with final entries due by Monday, 24th November 2025. Enthusiasts can register for the race here.
About ORCV: A leading authority on ocean sailing, racing, and training in Australia, the Club was formed so that ocean races in Victorian waters could be efficiently developed and run by an organisation focusing specifically on the needs of ocean racers.
Photos provided by On Track Meals
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