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November 13, 2007.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has received an increased number of international entries this year, with nine yachts representing four countries including the first ever Mexican entry (Iataia) and six boats from the UK. Six Australian states and the ACT will be represented, including four boats making the trip from Western Australia.
Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI could become only the second yacht in the history of the race to take line honours over three consecutive years. The treble was last achieved by Claude Plowman’s Morna in 1946, 1947 and 1948. With a line honours win, a record breaking run and the overall trophy in 2005 and line honours again in 2006, getting to Hobart first in 2007 would confirm Wild Oats’ place as one of the legends of this internationally-renowned ocean race.
Wild Oats XI in 2005, smashing the race record previously held by Nokia in 1999. This shot was taken just before the boat experienced problems with the top batten of the mainsail blowing out. Quick action by the crew resulted in the mainsail lowered and secured to the boom and a smaller headsail replaced with one larger to get over the line. Despite the difficulties on the Derwent the boat was able to continue up the river at a speed of around 12 knots. |
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"It will be great to see a bit of friendly rivalry between Australia, New Zealand and the UK on the water," said Matt Allen, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and skipper of entrant Ichi Ban.
"These boats and their crews are among the best in the world so it will make for a very interesting race this year."
"We’re approaching this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart like any other – get the new mast in, prepare the boat for Bass Strait after the Mediterranean racing season, test the new gear and the rest will depend on the weather," said Richards.
"You can’t assume anything in this race - we saw that last year when Maximus and ABN AMRO both lost their masts."
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Grant Warrington's Skandia hiding behind a rolling South Pacific swell while sailing past North Head after the start of the 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. |
In the right conditions, like those hard running conditions in 1999 when Nokia set a new fastest time, Richards believes the current record set by Wild Oats XI in 2005 could be slashed by up to 10 hours.
Mike Slade, owner/skipper of the biggest likely threat to Wild Oats XI, ICAP Leopard, last night commented, “We’ve got a real corker of a race on our hands. I think it’s going to be one of the closest Rolex Sydney Hobarts for a long time. Any one of the four 30 metres can win over the line”.
Syd Fischer's Farr 50 version of Ragamuffin on Sydney Harbour ahead of the 2004 Rolex Sydney Hobart. This year's Hobart will be Fischer’s 39th race. |
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Young, who is preparing himself physically and mentally, is both excited and nervous about his first Rolex Sydney Hobart, but says the teamwork and camaraderie of a sailing crew is similar to that of a rugby team.
"I reckon lining up on Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day will feel a bit like running onto the ground for a test match, except I only ever felt a bit queasy before a match and this time I’m worried that feeling with last a lot longer," said Young.
"I’ve got a lot of respect for anyone who undertakes this race and especially for the people that come back year after year."
"Winning a Rolex Sydney Hobart is every sailor’s dream but it’s so bloody testing that even when you win it, you vow never to do it again."
"But twelve months later all you can remember is the adventure of the journey, the moments you shared as a crew and the thrill of arriving in Hobart and then, before you know it, you’re sending in your entry form again," said Fischer who is about to replace the keel on his TP52 and strengthen the boat for its first Bass Strait crossing.
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Matt Allen's Ichi Ban sails out into the Tasman after the start of the 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. |
The first lead up regatta to the Boxing Day start will be the Rolex Trophy One Design Series from 7-9 December followed by the spectacular SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on Tuesday 11 December and finally, the Rolex Trophy Rating Series, an exciting preview to the handicap form guide for the Rolex Sydney Hobart, from 13-16 December.
Last year, a fleet of 87 yachts applied to enter the Rolex Sydney Hobart, 78 made it to the start line on Boxing Day and 69 crossed the finish line off Hobart’s historic Battery Point having completed the gruelling 628 nautical mile course.
The line honours record currently stands at 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds, set by Wild Oats XI in 2005.
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