The fleet at the 176th annual edition of the event was led home by Bob Steel's TP52 Quest, but there was also a strong display of sailing in Australia from the crew of Brindabella.

 

Vessels competed across the stretch of ocean between Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay, following in the trail of waves first cut by sailors in 1788 en route to New South Wales. TP52 and Brindabella have often tasted success in the past. TP52 was the overall Sydney Hobart winner in 2008, while Brindabella claimed line honours for the same event more than a decade earlier.

 

Yachting fans from all over the world gathered on the shores of Sydney Harbour alongside families and youngsters from the local area to watch competing vessels battle it out on the waves.

 

Charles Curran is the president of the regatta, and he also enjoyed success on the water at the event. His vessel Sydney was the fastest spinnaker to finish the course. However he was in much demand as president, and had little time to celebrate the finish time.

 

Sailors faced light easterly winds on board their yachts, with them gritting their teeth when the rain came - something which saw a lot of spectators who'd ventured out into the harbour with their vessels opt for an early bath. There was plenty more than racing on offer though, with people on holidays and days out able to get a closer look at the tall ships on display.

 

John Jeremy, Australia Day Regatta management committee chairman, said: "A light easterly came in just as the first boats were ready to start and the sun shone brightly throughout a warm summer's afternoon. RAAF F-18s gave a wonderful display over the harbour, the Army's Red Berets did a spectacular parachute jump into Farm Cove, while a Navy Seahawk provided a search-and-rescue display. All in all, it was a wonderful day to celebrate Australia Day 2012."

 

There are many other options for wonderful sailing days in Australia for those who've got the bug after this latest regatta. Among the other options for lovers of yacht racing is Hamilton Island Race Week. Taking place between August 17 and 25, the race week is Australia's largest offshore yachting regatta. The Hamilton Island Yacht Club hosts the event, which sees around 250 boats compete every year. People wanting to find out more about attending race week can check out Sunsail's website.