The 117-strong yachting fleet contesting the 2014 Sydney to Hobart is making its way to the race start line on Sydney Harbour.
It's a hot and sunny day in Sydney and thousands of people have lined vantage points around the harbour foreshore to see off the yachts taking part the 70th blue water classic.
Hundreds of spectator boats have also filled the harbour to farewell competitors as the countdown to the 1pm race start continues.
This year, yachts are lining up on three start lines because of the large number of boats taking part.
At about noon, the competing yachts passed the start line with their storm trisails up - a mandatory safety measure for all boats before the race begins.
A 15-knot southerly breeze is forecast for the start of the race, and it's tipped to reach 20-28knots by Friday afternoon.
"It will be a colourful spinnaker start in a 15 knot southerly before the yachts turn at Sydney Heads to begin a long first days bash into a 20 to 28 knot offshore southerly," race spokesman Jim Gale said.
The breeze would be "even stronger the further south the boats go".
Supermaxi Wild Oats XI is favourite to take line honours again this year, but will face stiff competition from 100-footers Perpetual Loyal, Ragamuffin and American yacht Comanche.
The Sydney to Hobart is one of three major races in the world and has become an iconic part of the Australian summer.
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