5th Sydney to Hobart Yacht RaceDate26 December 1949 – 31 December 1949DefenderMornaNumber of yachts15Coordinates-WinnerWaltzing MatildaOfficial websiteRolexsydneyhobart
The 1949 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, was the fifth annual running of the "blue water classic" Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia based in Sydney, New South Wales, the 1949 edition began on Sydney Harbour, at noon on Boxing Day (26 December 1949), before heading south for 630 nautical miles (1,170 km) through the Tasman Sea, past Bass Strait, into Storm Bay and up the River Derwent, to cross the finish line in Hobart, Tasmania.
The 1949 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race comprised a reduced fleet of 15 competitors. Waltzing Matilda, skippered by Phil Davenport won line honours in a time of 5 days, 10 hours and 33 minutes – breaking the three-year hold on the event by Claude Plowman's Morna. Trade Winds, skippered by Mervyn Davey was awarded handicap honours on adjusted time.
1949 fleet 15 yachts registered to begin the 1948 Sydney to Hobart Yacht race. They are: Trade Winds Nation Owner ME Davey Skipper Launch year
Waltzing Matilda - P Davenport
elapsed time 5-10-33-10 Second
Ellida - J Halliday
elapsed time 6-05-26-10 Third
Margaret Rintoul - A Edwards
elapsed time 5-10-35-01 Fourth
Fortuna - W Fresq
elapsed time 6-02-05-07 Fifth
Seasalter South Australian RSAYS DH Jarvis DH Jarvis 1937 elapsed time 6-04-50-30 Sixth
Lass O' Luss - J Colquhoun
elapsed time 6-03-07-35 Seventh
Gipsy Queen - AC Eden
elapsed time 6-00-45-24 Eighth
Peer Gynt - M&T Halvorsen
elapsed time6-05-25-35 Ninth
Nocturne - JR Bull
elapsed time 6-02-08-02 Tenth
Horizon - S Berg
elapsed time6-06-12-43 Eleventh
Independence - E Messenger
elapsed time 6-00-15-13 Twelfth
Mistral ll - RF Evans
elapsed time 6-02-00-54 Thirteenth
Retired Suzanne ll (RA Terrill), Wanderer (E Massey)
Results Line Honours LH (elapsed) time d:hh:mm:ss Handicap winner HW (corrected) time d:hh:mm:ss Waltzing Matilda 5:10:33:00 Trade Winds 3:23:39:43
See also Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
References
CYC Handbook(Cruising Yacht Club of Australia)Race History 1948–1954; page 86