Sydney's 'Festival of Sails'

The month is going to kick off with the Sail Sydney regatta. Race days for Sail Sydney 2014, based at Woollahra Sailing Club at Rose Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, are spread from Tuesday December 2 through to Sunday 7. The Olympic, Moths and the Flying Dutchman classes are first off the blocks before the remaining youth and open invited classes take to the three Sydney Harbour course areas on Friday through to Sunday.

The peak body for the sport of sailing in the state and organiser of Sail Sydney, Yachting NSW, has announced that the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has this year granted Sail Sydney 100 point status. This means competitors can earn points towards world championship qualification in their chosen class.

"Recognition of Sail Sydney by ISAF in this way makes it that much more worthwhile for not only the local sailors, but also for those who have distances to travel," said Sail Sydney’s on-water coordinator Lachlan Gilbert. "They can compete in more than one event in the same trip."

Sail Sydney leads into the ISAF Sailing World Cup - Melbourne the following week and the two state yachting authorities and their event management teams have cooperated to ensure Olympic class contenders can attend both.

Next, on December 9 one of the most anticipated keel-boat races on the Harbour for years will be the Big Boat Challenge which will see the first race for the mighty US sup-maxi Comanche.

The all-new 100-footer will go head-to-head with the all-conquering Wild Oats XI, Sid Fischer’s Ragamuffin 100 and all the hottest big yachts gearing up for the Sydney to Hobart race.

For more information and to check the courses so you get the best vantage point go to: http://www.cyca.com.au/racing/solas-big-boat-challenge/

Following the Big Boats, come the Extreme boats with the Extreme Sailing Series from December 11-14. As the final round of the series, this will indeed prove to be a win-at-all-costs event for the teams at the top

This is sailing excitement plus with around a dozen 40ft racing cats battling just off the shores of the Harbour. Both onshore observers and spectators on boats will get an up-close and personal experience as these thoroughbreds, skippered and crewed by some of the best sailors in world, battle it out for supremacy.

Once again you can check out where to get the best view or where to park your boat at: http://www.extremesailingseries.com/venues/view/act-8-sydney-australia#.VFrar_mUfHU

So get on down and cheer on the Aussie boys on GAC Pindar as they do battle with the world’s best.

Finally, on December 26, it’s the start of the famous Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, one of the most iconic races in the world.

This year, the 70th running of the Sydney to Hobart, 119 yachts will line up for the spectacular start.

Due to the large number and sheer size of some yachts, there will be three start lines this year. The last time numbers topped 100 was in 2004, when 116 boats started, though just 59 finished, the rest unable to withstand the punishing weather of the 60th race.

Five super maxis, 10 international entries, previous overall and line honours winners, old timers, record breaking boats and people, as well as the faithful will be on the water.

"We could not be happier with the quality and quantity of this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet. It’s such a high standard and represents a good cross section of yachts from all over Australia as well as 10 international entries," CYCA Commodore, John Cameron said.

For more information go to: http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/