The Sydney to Hobart yacht race will face cold, wet, and bumpy weather with strong winds up to 25 knots as 129 boats start from Sydney on Boxing Day. Lee Goddard, chairman of the race committee, said, “It’s going to be cold, wet and bumpy, people will get seasick.” Winds will ease over the weekend along New South Wales and Tasmania coasts, said BoM meteorologist Miriam Bradbury. The tough upwind winds mean the race record is unlikely to be broken this year, differing from last year's dangerous downwind storms that claimed two lives. A minute’s silence was held for sailors Nick Smith and Roy Quaden who died in the 2024 race. Fifteen yachts will scatter rose petals near Bondi beach in memory of victims of the recent Bondi terror attack. Master Lock Comanche, a race favourite, is co-led by Sydney eastern suburbs residents. Co-captain Matt Allen shared, “Everyone was very worried,” recalling a community service and brunch held in support of the Jewish community after the attack. In Western Australia, Tropical Cyclone Grant passed near the Cocos Islands, bringing heavy rain and storms. Perth reached 40°C with an extreme fire danger warning set for much of the south-west. Bradbury noted, “Today is the last day of the intense heat for now for the west coast.” Flood watches covered northern Australia. Brisbane faced a hot day with possible storms at 33°C. Darwin expected up to 50mm rain with thunderstorms. Melbourne braced for its coldest Christmas since 2006 at 17°C with showers, while Hobart was cool at 15°C with possible hail.