SEILmagasinet · video

What this video covers

Lars Henrik Hjellestad, a rigger and sailor from Bergen, describes his participation in the 2024 Sydney Hobart Race aboard an Italia Yachts 12.98 skippered by Matt, a veteran of 19 previous Sydney Hobarts.8:30 Hjellestad spent nearly ten weeks in Sydney from late October, working alongside a small core crew to prepare the new boat to Category 1 safety standards — a process that included Dyneema reinforcement on running rigging, mast-retention systems, and a formal safety audit at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYC) in mid-November.11:28 The crew of twelve was selected through two qualifying races: the Bird Island Race (roughly 40 miles) and the Cabbage Tree Island Race (approximately 180 nautical miles), the latter satisfying the offshore qualification requirement.16:51 The 630-mile race started Boxing Day from Sydney Harbour before 131–132 boats; conditions peaked on day two at 45 knots and 6-meter seas, forcing the crew to drop the mainsail and enter what they called "preserved assets mode."23:51 They finished in approximately three days and ten hours, sailing up the Derwent River into Hobart.21:41 The crew collectively held around 100 Sydney Hobart starts, including Olympic gold medalist Jenny Armstrong and Paul Eldred, a multiple world champion.20:14

Boats in this video

More from SEILmagasinet

Lift Ocean takes aim at sailing on a flight.Aug 2026Every boat has its own storyAug 2026XR 41: X-Yachts back to its rootsAug 2026A Knack for Sailing: Christen With on 60 years in the service of sailingAug 2026

From SEILmagasinet — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.