Aussies queue up on social media to slam the Sydney to Hobart race: ‘It may be the most boring event in world sport’
- A yacht race has been held annually since 1945
- Considered one of the world's toughest yacht races
- The vast majority of online commenters are critics
Australians have branded the Sydney to Hobart a boring spectacle that is just a way for the rich to brag about how rich they are after the famous race started on Boxing Day – but fans of the bluewater classic have hit back in his defense.
The 1,170km event has become a national sporting event since its first edition in 1945 and has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the most difficult and dangerous yacht races in the world.
Vessels crashing into each other at the start in Sydney Harbour, sailors battling huge storms and swells and finishes that go down to the wire have become common features of the race, but that doesn't bother many Australian sports fans refrain from lashing out on social media. media.
Sydney Harbor can be seen at the spectacular start of the race every Boxing Day (pictured) – but many Australians find it incredibly boring
Top contenders for line honors Comanche (left) and Scallywag (right) are pictured at the start of the bluewater classic with Sydney's spectacular skyline as a backdrop
“A bunch of rich Boofheads Weekend Sailors Wannabees flashing who has the bigger one,” is how one commenter on social media platform X summed up the race – and they were far from alone.
A quick look at the top-rated responses to the race on X revealed that the vast majority of opinions about the race were very negative.
“There's really boring TV sports… and then there's sailing,” another commenter wrote.
'I've never understood the fascination with the #SydneyToHobart 'race'. A bunch of multi-millionaires on yachts that take three days to get to Hobart. While the fighters in the rear face bad weather and need to be rescued at taxpayers' expense,” a third added.
“Is there anything more pointless than the Sydney to Hobart sailing race,” asked one critic.
'There is too much money in sports like Rugby League these days. I love watching the Sydney to Hobart fighters,” wrote one very sarcastic commenter.
These types of comments are very common on social media, despite the event's reputation as one of the most dangerous races of its kind in the world
If the critics aren't slamming the event for being boring, they're slamming it for being nothing more than a plaything for the ultra-rich.
'I'm not kidding when I say Sydney To Hobart might be the most boring event in the world. How do they broadcast this instead of the NFL?” asked another Australian.
One critic focused on the costs associated with the race: “Watching the yacht race from Sydney to Hobart always seems exciting – until you see the names of some of those super expensive super taxis: “Wage Theft”, “Illegal Dumping”, ” Franking credits”, “Employee savings” and “Tax evasion”.
Journalist Peter FitzSimons took a poll on X before the race, asking whether Aussies are more interested than ever in the event, less interested than ever, not remotely interested, or as interested as ever.
Not remotely interested won easily with 68.7 percent of the 5,770 votes cast.
However, the race also had its supporters after attracting the usual large crowds to watch the yachts sail through the Sydney Heads to kick off the event.
Not all Aussies were left cold during the race, however, with huge crowds lining viewpoints around Sydney Harbor for the start (pictured)
Supporters of the race point to the spectacular sights it offers every year – while others remind critics that most sports today involve vast amounts of money
'It's a beautiful sight, all those yachts in Sydney harbour, a fantastic spectacle!' wrote one.
Another responded to the waves of criticism with: 'And then? They can afford a yacht and enjoy the often dangerous racing challenge. Good for them. Even those of us who don't have a lot of money also have things we like to do. Everyone has the right to be happy.'
'Every sport has multi-millionaires. Football, NFL, baseball, they're all richer than sailors [sic]. Some sailors [sic] are only in budget personal boats. F1 is in a $15 million car that crashes several times a year,” another fan commented.
The wild weather during this year's race has virtually eliminated any chance of breaking the record.
Eight of the 103 participants were forced to retire by Wednesday afternoon, with the most notable victim being Scallywag.