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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Sydney - Hobart Race

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/18/2010 : 09:28:25

My "main squeeze's" son will be aboard Dawn Star, a Baltic 46 skippered by his cousin--both are 20-somethings... They sailed the boat from San Deigo to NZ and then Sydney, and have been readying her for the race for the past two months. The start is on Boxing Day, presumably after Oprah has gotten out of the way. (Some preliminary events in Sydney Harbour have been discombobulated by Oprah's contingent.)

Their track will be here:

http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/yacht_tracker.asp?key=522

BTW, the cousin won the Newport - Bermuda race overall as tactician (and virtual skipper) a couple of years ago, so he knows what he's doing. His father (III) is listed as owner/skipper of Dawn Star, and will be aboard, but the son (IV) will be in command. He's also sailed in the Fastnet.

I'd love to just see the 90+ fleet leaving Sydney Harbour, including some maxis and Volvo-type sleds--what an experience! There appears to be only one other US boat in the fleet.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 12/18/2010 09:57:44

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2010 : 18:43:27

Who are there people who've constructed their lives in such a way that they have enough money to do all these things and still enough time? How do I join the club?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2010 : 22:24:21

I've wondered that, too... Part is a father who will buy the boat (in large part to "vicariously" cross the Pacific and win these races). Another part is a couple of "kids" who disassociate themselves from the workaday world we all know or knew, and are happy just knocking around the world, picking up jobs in Australia or wherever, and living their dreams, without any worldly "stuff" to speak of. (No cars, houses, clubs, or even wardrobes.) Some time in their thirties, reality (and a woman) will probably catch up to each of them, and they'll re-set their priorities.

I'd have to say I grew up in an environment where I never learned that was an option--it was college-career-marriage-... and (eventually) kids. Freedom would (or might) come later. My late wife didn't get that far...

There could be a lesson in that.

I have no regrets for my life, and I can't disparage their choices at this point in theirs. I'll be vicariously on Dawn Star along with my wonderful partner, the slightly anxious mother of the "first crew".

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 12/18/2010 22:30:49

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2010 : 07:50:25

Yeah, don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my niche in this world, have been pretty lucky, but wouldn't it be fun to play with those big expensive toys?

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2010 : 15:29:15

My son has chosen playing the guitar as his life. He teaches, gigs, stays with friends and floats around the country living hand to mouth and as far as I can tell is really enjoying his 20s.

At some point, he'll have to drive a stake into the ground, do the job and family thing, but so far is handling things without a much support from us.

Had it been "messing around in boats" rather than music, I might have a different story to tell.

Dave - your story is awesome and captures the imagination of many of us. Any chance you and your friend will fly to Syndey to enjoy the festivities?

What Buddhists say is if you yearn for something deep in your soul, it goes into your karma and possibly in a future life, you will get to live your dream.

Maybe in some far flung future we'll all be intergalactic surfers racing on the solar winds in the Sol to Alpha Centauri race!

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2010 : 15:59:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> intergalactic surfers racing on the solar winds in the Sol to Alpha Centauri race! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'll have what he's having

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2010 : 21:39:10

I'm afraid the solar winds probably "peter out" long before you can reach Alpha Centauri. Better be ready to activate your hypergenoa.

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Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2010 : 09:31:57

I'm with you guys..I'll drink that Kool aid!

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2010 : 21:18:17

when you dream, dream in color!

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2010 : 09:58:17

Oh boy, Flash back...Back in the sixtys I went to Alpha Centauri...What a trip!

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2010 : 19:51:49

I heard Timothy Leary took an Astroplane.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2010 : 20:38:40

So who's got odds on the race?

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Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2010 : 12:08:57

Check the latest forecast..Again our prayers are with the racers for a safe journey...

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2010 : 16:01:59

Alan
I'll say - it looks like it will be choppy and quite windy -- what they call a 'Southern Buster". Any kind of weather that has a name can't be a very nice thing.

See the link http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/news.asp?key=5088 for the weather prognostication.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2010 : 22:14:13

So its already well into Sunday morning, Boxing Day, in Australia.

As of 1205am EST 26 Dec, the fleet has left Sydney harbor, with a large grouping of boats moving at less than 6 kts, while the front runners are going in the low teens.

Very strange how there seems to be one boat about 100 kms well ahead of the pack. No explaination why.

Each boat's wind speed, boat speed, distance to go, distance to frontrunner and other stats appear to be updated regularly. Too bad there's not a webcam somewhere.... perhaps at the start and finish lines?

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1778 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2010 : 07:04:39

Interesting disparity in boat speed/performance. I wonder if the earthquake just off Australia and resulting "mini-Tusami" impacted conditions?

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Boomeroo
Navigator

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Australia
129 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2010 : 07:25:50

Great info to track the Yachts .
The one way out in front is an imaginary Yacht ie from an earlier race showing were the record holder was at this point .
We go to Sydney and watch the race each year ... Sad the numbers are dropping due to the extreme safety provisions .
Some are starting a Cruise in Company that avoids the legal implications for clubs .
"Southerly Buster" was very mild at 15Kns but more to come .

The actual weather observations are on http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/observations/map.shtml

Catalinas were made in Australia by Boomeroo Yacht Co under licence
they also owned a S&S called Boomeroo 111 which I sailed on in this race MANY years ago (130 yachts that year).
A Catalina 42 Mk II. was entered but doesnt appear to have started .

Graeme

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1778 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2010 : 19:31:47

My brother in law, who lived in Australia in the early 80's, is back visiting and just e-mailed that he saw the start of the race. His comment was the conditions were very different than he remembered when crewing -- light winds, etc. SHould be interesting as conditions modulate back to normal.

Edited by - bigelowp on 12/26/2010 19:32:30

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2010 : 08:46:27

Dawn Star is in the race, right in the main pack.
Seems like Wild Oats XI is leading, but with the leaders at about 6-8kts, it's still anybody's race.
I like Wild Thing who's moving at 12kts. Winds are expected to increase in the AM, so things could get exciting.

Boomeroo -- you'd probably know best -- what is the backstory on the top five frontrunners?

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1778 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2010 : 16:10:15

If I'm reading the weather correctly it sounds like the weather indeed did change -- and as the pendulum swings they are now in gale force conditions with several boats having dropped out. Weather is fickle everywhere!

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2010 : 18:44:01

16 boats have retired... One crew member broke his arm--the boat took him into port and is back in the race. The "Gallery" on the site shows pix from the current race--some rather amazing! For example, there's Wild Oats XI, a 100' maxi, leaping off a wave, and another of the same boat under storm jib and multi-reefed main in 50+ winds, by their own words just trying to keep the boat in one piece. I know some guys who will have some stories!

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 12/27/2010 18:45:04

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2010 : 17:12:14

At 710pm EST on Tuesday, Wild Oats is barrelling down the channel toward Hobart. Four or five other boats are in hot pursuit.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2010 : 23:00:03

Wild Oats XI won going away... The committee filed a protest because W.O. didn't file a radio report at some point, but the protest was dropped and W.O. was awarded Line Honors. (Another boat will probably win overall on corrected time, but the maxis don't give a rat's a$$ about those things--Line Honors is their prize.) My friend's son and nephew on Dawn Star are battling to be in the upper half of their division (4)... No matter the outcome, they've had an experience of a lifetime, and will have stories for their grandchildren! They have an interview and pictures on the site... very exciting for their families here! (Cameron Okie's mom will be extremely relieved when they drop the canvas in Hobart, given all that she's been following for the last few days!)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 12/29/2010 23:01:52

Boomeroo
Navigator

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Australia
129 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2010 : 23:27:24

Yes, the Sydney-Hobart Race is like most things these days all about Press reports and sensation reporting . These Maxi's are however the future of sailing with the canting keels etc .
The real Sydney- Hobart is the Non payed crew and smaller boats the 2 day "little drink" and the cruise back home .
I missed much of this years race with a few days out on our C25 Swing keel. ( how do I get it to swing sideways ? ).
The Moth class world championships are about to start out front of our home over the next few weeks . These really are the extreme sailing M/C. If the Below tag works It shows the speed relative to other skiffs . Racing last week with them practicing was a trial due to their speed and fast tacks .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW_UfYGO3Kg&feature=fvw

Maybe the wing keeler's are onto something

Graeme C25 SK

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2011 : 10:12:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Boomeroo
 Yes, the Sydney-Hobart Race is like most things these days all about Press reports and sensation reporting...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">The winds and seas that took out 20% of the fleet were, I think, sensational enough without any amplification in the reporting. This was the nastiest since the deadly 2004 race that caused the organizers to impose much higher safety standards on every boat. The crew of Dawn Star spent weeks installing safety equipment and had to demonstrate MOB recovery and ditching techniques to the committee... Perhaps as a consequence, the worst casualty this year was a broken arm (on another boat). On the other hand, the boats sustained broken masts, rudders, sails, engines,... The skipper of Wild Oats XI was quoted as saying "boat preservation" was the primary objective at one point. Some pix of that 100-footer flying off waves in a shower of spray give an idea of the conditions--although the worst was a night when the photographers weren't flying. Here's Wild Oats XI, playing submarine through one wave...

My friend's son, having driven the Baltic 46 Dawn Star in 50+ winds through those huge seas for three hours at one point, says he has stories he'll remember for a lifetime--we'll see if he can even find the words...

No, I think that race was more sensational than the reporting thus far.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 01/01/2011 10:15:18

Boomeroo
Navigator

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Australia
129 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2011 : 22:54:38

I totally agree the memories are much more sensational for the real participants . "No, I think that race was more sensational than the reporting thus far."
However I have not seen any reports on the amateur boats just the Professional boats etc who all employ publicists etc .
Are they heading for triabunna for the crayfish derby and Wineglass bay . What a ball and so many memories with more to come

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