Cruising Yacht Club of Australia announce commentary team for Rolex Sydney Hobart
by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 31 Aug 17:32 PDT
2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart - Women in Sailing Night © Ashley Dart / CYCA
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) has finalised its multi-platform commentary team for the 2026 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (RSHYR), with the voice of the Melbourne Cup, Matt Hill, joining the lineup for the first time.
Hill will be joined on Nine, the 9Now app, and the CYCATV live stream via YouTube, by veteran sailing analyst Peter Shipway, Olympic medallists Olivia Price and Lisa Darmanin, and two-time America's Cup winning skipper Jimmy Spithill, for the Boxing Day race start telecast that begins at 1230hrs ahead of the 1300hrs race start.
Hill joins the team following the retirement of the legendary Gordon Bray AM at the conclusion of last year's Rolex Sydney Hobart and brings a wealth of broadcast experience in horse racing, AFL, Olympics and tennis, amongst many other sports.
Hill will call his tenth Melbourne Cup in November this year and his appointment for the RSHYR will see him voice the two most iconic annual races in Australia.
Shipway has long been Australian sailing's leading broadcast voice, while Price, Darmanin and Spithill are experienced commentators and were part of the Nine broadcast in 2025.
"I am thrilled to be joining the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia team for the Rolex Sydney Hobart and it's also a privilege to receive the baton off one of Australia's most iconic voices in Gordon Bray," Hill said.
"There are few more iconic races in Australia than the Sydney Hobart and to be working with the likes of Peter Shipway, Olivia (Price), Lisa (Darmanin) and of course Jimmy Spithill, who's one of the biggest names in world sailing, will be an honour.
"I can't wait to get stuck in and share some of the amazing stories of the entire fleet, from the maxis to the overall contenders and family syndicates racing their own boats."
CYCA Commodore David Jacobs said the experience and expertise held by the 2026 commentary line up was second to none.
"Peter (Shipway), Olivia (Price), Lisa (Darmanin) and Jimmy (Spithill) need no introduction to the sailing community and bring our sport into the homes of every Australian on Boxing Day," Jacobs said.
"The addition of Matt Hill will be a familiar voice to many viewers, and we are excited for him to join our team for the summer of sailing.
"Matt is one of Australia's most versatile and experienced callers, and he is an incredible storyteller."
The quartet of Hill, Shipway, Price and Darmanin will also head up the multi-platform CYCA production in Hobart from 27-31 December, with coverage including twice daily live shows on CYCA TV, regular daily news updates and social media reports.
Hill, Shipway and Price will also call live shows on CYCA TV of the start of the Cabbage Tree Island Race on 4 December and the entire SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on 8 December.
The RSHYR broadcast on Boxing Day will be produced by Gravity Media, the CYCA's Hobart production will be led by Hype TV and the Cabbage Tree and SOLAS Big Boat Challenge coverage delivered by Sail Media.