True South: A race to remember

For many competitive sailors, the Hobart isn’t just another regatta - it’s the ultimate test of endurance, teamwork and nerve.

Up to 100 yachts start the race in a typical year, with the fastest teams finishing in just over a day, while others battle the elements for nearly a week. Along the way lies the notorious Bass Strait, where fast-moving weather systems can turn the waters treacherous.

One rogue wave. One broken mast. One sudden storm. Even the most experienced crews know how quickly conditions can change, transforming a sporting competition into a battle for survival.

True South marks 80 years of the Hobart race, and revisits one of its darkest chapters.

In 1998, a violent East Coast Low struck, battering the fleet with hurricane-force winds and towering waves that claimed the lives of six sailors.

Among them was John Dean - a husband, father, mentor and close friend to many in the sailing community. For the families who lived through it, the race would never be the same again.

At the centre of the film is the bond between lifelong friends Herman Winning, founder of Appliances Online, and brothers Nathan and Peter Dean - a connection forged long before the families became forever united by the events of 1998.

Twenty-five years after the tragedy, they make the decision to return to the race. Their boat, Andoo Comanche, is one of the fastest and most powerful super-maxi yachts ever built - but this isn’t just about chasing line honours. For the Dean brothers, it’s something far more personal: as Nathan says in the documentary, “I want to know what he’s gone through. I want to do this for Dad.”

The power of the Southern Ocean, the scale of the yachts and the emotional weight of the story all come together in a way that demands a cinema screen.

For sailing enthusiasts, it’s a rare look inside one of the world’s great ocean races. For any sports fans, it illustrates what leadership, teamwork and determination look like under extreme pressure. And for anyone who loves a compelling human story, True South is a journey back into the storm in honour of someone who never returned.

The documentary is screening for a limited time in selected cinemas across Australia.

To celebrate the release of True South, Herman Winning and the team have created a very special offer for Appliances Online customers.

Simply enter the code TRUESOUTH to get $30 OFF* at checkout when you spend $300 or more at appliancesonline.com.au by 31 March 2026.