The rugged coastline of New South Wales' Far South Coast once again played a crucial role in the 2025 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, offering both a light-hearted welcome and critical emergency assistance to crews battered by challenging conditions.
A Tradition of Welcome in Twofold Bay
As the fleet streamed south, the community of Eden stood ready at the strategic decision point of Twofold Bay. This is where crews must choose whether to retire or press on into the notoriously tough Bass Strait. For years, locals have marked the occasion with a unique tradition: presenting a small, humorous trophy to the first yacht to retire into the bay each race.
Robyn Malcolm, vice-commodore of the Twofold Bay Yacht Club, explained the gesture is designed to "lighten the mood" for disappointed sailors. This year, the 'honour' went to the luxury superyacht Maritimo 100, which arrived on Saturday, December 27, with hydraulic and electronics issues. "If you saw the size of Maritimo you know it can't get far without its electronics," Ms Malcolm noted.
The plastic trophy, bearing the names of prestigious sailors from years past, became a point of interest. "Some of the other retired crews wanted to take a look and get photos with it, saying 'so that's what we missed out on'," she said with a laugh.
A slow trickle of other retirees followed Maritimo into Eden. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia confirmed the list included URM Group (which arrived around 10:30pm Saturday), Wots Next, V5, Kraken 42S, Ambition, Silver Fern, and Minerva—the latter having 'won' the trophy back in 2019.
Community Spirit in the Chill of the Southerly
The welcome extended far beyond a token trophy. When URM Group called ahead seeking accommodation for its crew in the busy holiday period, Ms Malcolm initially thought there was "Buckley's" chance of finding vacancies. Instead, the community opened its hearts and homes.
"A few locals opened up their own homes. They came down to the dock to pick up half a dozen strangers to take home," Ms Malcolm recounted, having worked until 3am on Sunday, December 28, to coordinate the effort. The gesture left the tired crews "very, very grateful."
Marine Rescue NSW Answers Critical Calls
Further up the coast, the volunteers of Marine Rescue NSW were engaged in more serious work, performing two separate medical evacuations within 24 hours.
The first call came at approximately 4:30pm on Saturday, December 27. Marine Rescue Batemans Bay received a VHF radio call from the yacht Coastwatcher, reporting a crew member experiencing chest pains. Due to rough bar conditions at Narooma, the closest port, the yacht was directed to Batemans Bay.
A volunteer crew aboard rescue vessel Batemans Bay 30 rendezvoused with the racing yacht at Snapper Island, transferred the patient, and delivered them to Hanging Rock to meet waiting ambulance crews. The crew member was reported to be fine and due for release from hospital on Monday, December 29.
The second medical mission began in the early hours of Sunday. NSW Police Marine Area Command alerted Marine Rescue that a crew member on the yacht Santana had a suspected concussion. The vessel was still four to five hours from Bermagui at the time of the call.
Once it drew nearer, a crew from Marine Rescue Bermagui, accompanied by three NSW Ambulance paramedics, deployed on Bermagui 30. They met the yacht outside Bermagui Harbour to provide assistance. This sailor was also reported to be doing well.
In a separate incident later on Sunday, Marine Rescue Bermagui volunteers went to the aid of the yacht Titoki after it sustained race damage. "The yacht's main sail had jammed and the rigging had sustained damage," explained Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan. Concerned about dwindling fuel, the skipper requested a tow into Bermagui Harbour, which was safely provided.
The 2025 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race underscored the enduring partnership between the bluewater sailing community and the coastal towns that stand watch. From Eden's symbolic trophy to the lifesaving actions of volunteers, the Far South Coast proved itself, once again, as an indispensable haven on one of the world's most demanding ocean races.
