80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: The Cat’s Out of the Bag — Haynes Returns for the 80th Anniversary Race

“I thought, why wouldn’t you do it?”

Haynes grinned — a sentiment that sums up both his competitive spirit and the irresistible pull of this great ocean classic.

A Commodore, a Champion, and a Relentless Competitor

Few figures in Australian sailing embody the sport’s dual spirit of professionalism and passion quite like Sam Haynes. Already a two-time Rolex Sydney Hobart Overall winner — first in 2022 aboard his TP52 Celestial, and again in 2024 with the Volvo 70 Celestial V70 (formerly Willow) — Haynes has quietly built a dynasty of excellence.

He’d hinted last year that 2024 might be his “swan song” while serving as CYCA Commodore, having achieved the rare feat of steering a boat to victory while leading the very club that organises the race. But fate, and a bit of family persuasion, had other plans.

“The stars just aligned,” Haynes said. “My family wanted me to do it again, the crew were keen, and when Jim Cooney confirmed Celestial V70 was available — that was it. Once I’m motivated, I find a way to make it happen.”

The Boat: Celestial V70 — Born for Speed, Built for Glory

There’s good reason Haynes calls the Celestial V70 “incredible.” The former Willow — a Volvo Open 70 pedigree machine — is a weapon offshore, designed to devour miles and hold her own against 100-foot Maxis in heavy air.

In 2024, the boat not only took the Overall win but also placed second across the line, behind LawConnect. The victory margin — a staggering nine hours, 44 minutes, and 42 seconds on corrected time — was the largest since Rani’s legendary win in the inaugural 1945 race.

That near-perfect run wasn’t without drama. “We blew an A3 spinnaker right after the Heads,” Haynes recalled. “It probably cost us Line Honours.” This year, an upgraded sail wardrobe means Celestial V70 will once again be “nipping at the heels” of the super-Maxis — Comanche, LawConnect, Wild Thing 100, and SHK Scallywag.

“If the breeze is up and the angles are right, we’ll be right there,” he said, with the quiet confidence of a man who knows exactly what it takes to win.

Competition Heats Up in the 80th Edition

The 2025 race will mark the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race — a milestone edition for an event that has become synonymous with endurance, seamanship, and national pride.

The line-up reads like a who’s who of offshore racing. URM Group, the 72-footer dismasted in last year’s storm-struck race, is back with renewed vengeance. Moneypenny, now skippered by WA sailor Rob Appleyard, returns to the fleet after a year’s absence. And then there’s the ever-present threat of the elements — the wild, unpredictable weather systems that have humbled even the mightiest yachts over eight decades of Hobart history.

Haynes knows better than most that success in this race depends on more than raw speed. “You can’t plan everything. Conditions can turn the leaderboard inside out overnight,” he said. “But when things go your way, it’s magic.”

Meet the Celestial V70 Crew

Behind every great Sydney Hobart campaign is a crew forged through experience, trust, and countless sea miles together. Returning for another tilt at glory are Jack Macartney, Lewis Brake, David Burt, David Chapman, Robert Greenhalgh, Alex Nolan (navigator), Luke Parkinson, Harry West, and Will Haynes — Sam’s son and constant co-pilot in recent campaigns.

New to the team this year are Nick Bice, Lindsay Stead, Pablo Torrado, and William Mackenzie, adding fresh energy and expertise to an already elite roster.

Greenhalgh alone brings an extraordinary track record — five Rolex Sydney Hobart campaigns, four Overall victories. “That doesn’t happen by chance,” said Haynes. “A lot of it comes down to preparation, teamwork, and never underestimating the race.”

A Race Steeped in Legacy

The Rolex Sydney Hobart is more than a race — it’s a pilgrimage. From the sun-soaked start in Sydney Harbour, past the jagged cliffs of the Illawarra, across the often-brutal Bass Strait, and finally down the Derwent River to Hobart’s Constitution Dock — the course remains the ultimate test of seamanship and endurance.

This year, the George Adams Tattersall Cup carries even greater weight as the fleet celebrates 80 years of Hobart history. For Haynes, the chance to etch his name a third time alongside the legends of Australian sailing was impossible to ignore.

“It’s the Everest of yacht racing in this country,” he said. “To win it once changes your life. To win it twice feels like lightning struck twice. To do it a third time… that would be something truly special.”

The Outlook: Boxing Day, and Beyond

As always, much will depend on the forecast. A strong nor’easter could favour the Maxis, turning the race into a downwind sprint. A messy southerly change might hand the advantage to the heavy-air specialists like Celestial V70. Either way, the 80th edition is shaping up to be a classic.

Haynes, for one, is ready. “It’s not about proving anything anymore,” he said. “It’s about being part of something bigger — the race, the people, the history. But yes,” he added with a grin, “we’ll be pushing hard.”

Old Sea Dogs Verdict

Few sailors capture the essence of the Rolex Sydney Hobart quite like Sam Haynes — calm under pressure, humble in victory, and absolutely hooked on the challenge. Celestial V70 is fast, proven, and perfectly prepped for another shot at the Tattersall Cup.

Eighty years on, the race remains a battle between man, machine, and the elements — and Commodore Haynes, it seems, isn’t done writing his chapter just yet.