The competition to nab the overall win for the 80th Sydney to Hobart yacht race is heating up, with defending champion Celestial V70 no longer in contention for a back-to-back victory.

Since midnight, more than a dozen yachts have crossed the finish line — bringing the total number of boats that have completed the 2025 race to over 30.

Oroton Drumfire cruised into Hobart on Tuesday morning. (ABC News)

This included the first Tasmanian boat over the line, AdvantEdge.

Celestial V70 had been hoping to defend its title after sailing into Hobart's Constitution Dock early on Monday morning.

It's all smiles for the crew on MWF Kayle as they near the finish line. (Supplied: Making Waves Foundation)

As of 11am, New Caledonian double-handed BNC was the clubhouse leader, after sailing into Hobart at 10:40am.

However, with a number of contenders for handicap honours still out at sea, a victory is far from locked in.

A double-handed boat, which only has two crew members, has never won the Sydney to Hobart.

Cruz and Min River, also double-handed boats, are also high on the leaderboards and expected to finish today.

Unlike line honours, which is awarded to the first boat across the finish line, the overall winner takes into account handicap, such as boat size.

BNC crew members Michael Quintin and Yann Rigal on their way into Hobart this morning. (Supplied: CYCA / Salty Dingo)

The fleet as at 7:45am on Tuesday, as they race around the Tasman Peninsula and Tasman Island. (Supplied: Sydneu to Hobart Yacht Race)

Race worth getting emotional about

Ron Epstein, the skipper of Bacchanal, which also sailed in this morning, said his crew had had "unfinished business" after a "disappointing" attempt during its debut in the Sydney to Hobart race last year.

The yacht was forced to retire after its boom broke.