A traditional treat for yachting enthusiasts is the King of the Derwent race on the second of January. This allows the ocean racing yachts from the various events finishing in Hobart a chance for an afternoon’s sail in the Derwent estuary for a fun race without all the regular crew.

For land based spectators this is a good opportunity to see these boats in action, as the course in the Derwent River estuary normally offers good vantage points. One of the crowd favourites is along the Sandy Bay foreshore as the boats head to a mark south of the John Garrow Light.

King of the Derwent- Wild Oats XI

This was one of the recommended spots in the morning paper, so a good crowd turned up only to watch the fleet sail in almost the opposite direction to the other side of the river.

One comment from a disappointed spectator “The paper said this was a good spot. If I had known they weren’t coming this way I would have gone to the other side of the river to watch.”

Those with binoculars or super telephoto lenses had some idea of what was happening, but for most even the maxi yacht Wild Oats XI was mainly a distant grey spot.

Despite the grey overcast skies, it was a warm and pleasant afternoon at Sandy Bay beach with a parade of other watercraft to interest the spectators.

An old yacht on Derwent River

Jet Ski

Pride Panther speedboat on the Derwent River

Cruising on the Derwent in an the style of a bygone era

Sightseeing on the Derwent in a hurry

A grimy Grimsby trawler, the Saxon Onward, sailing up the Derwent