Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2023: sailors warned of thunderstorms and erratic weather as start time approaches

• Weather forecast is for storms and strong winds across first two days
• LawConnect leads fleet across the start line in Sydney Harbour

The 78th edition of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race has begun under dark skies that threatened to be much worse as the scheduled start time approached.

Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds blanketed Sydney Harbour an hour before the 1pm AEDT start but cleared as the 103-vessel fleet jostled for position.