The race was initially planned to be a cruise by Peter Luke and some friends who had formed a club for those who enjoyed cruising as opposed to racing, however when a visiting British Royal Navy Officer, Captain John Illingworth, suggested it be made a race, the legendary event was born. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has grown over the decades, since the inaugural race in 1945, to become one of the pre-eminent offshore yacht races in the world and it now attracts maxi yachts from North America and Europe. The 2004 race marked the 60th running of the event. The current race record was set in 2005 by Wild Oats XI, which crossed the line in a time of 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds. The longest surviving skipper from the inaugural race, Peter Luke, who contributed to the formation of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the establishment of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, passed away on 23 September 2007 aged 92, the last of the original sailors who pioneered this magnificent event. His yacht, Wayfarer, still holds the record for the slowest elapsed time.
The 2007 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, sponsored by Rolex, will be the 63rd annual running of the "blue water classic" Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
The Wild Oats XI is a two-time title defender and is pipped at winning it for the 3rd time in a row, which would be the first in the history of this 63 year-old race. Consequently, it is the leader in both the Line Honours and Handicap categories.
