Long before foils, canting keels and weather routers, just nine yachts set off on that inaugural voyage south. None of those sailors could have imagined that their modest adventure would grow into a 628-nautical-mile institution, watched by millions worldwide and drawing fleets as large as 371 starters, as seen in the race’s 50th anniversary year in 1994. A moving tribute on Sydney Harbour On Boxing Day morning, classic yachts will assemble in Rose Bay, before beginning the Parade of Sail from 10:30am to 11:30am.