The legendary Sydney to Hobart 2017 race is shaping up to be a something for everyone spectacular this year, with many local yachts and crew members aboard a fleet of classics and modern vessels.
The 73rd running of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s 628 nautical mile blue water classic has attracted 107 yachts, including a record 30 internationals, four supermaxis and some of the greatest names associated with ocean racing, including Pittwater's Jimmy Spithill who will be aboard the Jim Clark and Neville Crichton owned LDV Comanche. In July 2017, with the Ken Read/Stan Honey combo, LDV Comanche smashed the 2225 Transpac monohull record, half a day faster than the 2009 record of Crichton's ex Alfa Romeo.
Brother Thomas Spithill, Yachting Australia's Coach of the Year, will be aboard the 20 metre long Wild Oats X in her first Sydney to Hobart. Tom will crew alongside six-time 18ft skiff champ Seve Jarvin (dad Steve is sail trimmer on WOXI), renowned America’s Cup and VOR skipper/navigator Wouter Verbraak and gun match racer Kinley Fowler with Sandy Oatley’s son-in-law, Troy Tindall, against Ian Oatley’s (Sandy’s brother) son Daniel aboard Wild Oats XI. Wild Oats X’s racing record over the years includes first-to-finish in the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race in 2005, 2007 and 2009, second in the 2004 Maxi Worlds in Porto Cervo and overall victory at Hamilton Island Race Week 2005. Most recently, at this year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, Wild Oats X, skippered by HRH Prince Frederik of Denmark, took top honours in the Grand Prix racing division.
Mark Richards will Skipper Wild Oats XI, with Daniel Oatley, a Master Mariner and Bob Oatley’s grandson, joins the mostly tried and tested crew for a second time. Crew Steve Jarvin lines up for his 30th Hobart and a hopeful 14th line honours victory (his 13 are unprecedented) including two triple victories on this boat. The rest of the Wild Oats XI crew are A Henderson, B Marsh (1), C Harmsen (7), C Links (5), D Oatley (1), G Taylor (6), I Burns, I Murray (23), J Hildebrand (12), J Whittaker (15), M Mason (3), M Shillington (11), P Magee (6), R Naismith (11), R Daniel (11)
Wild Oats XI claimed line honours for the sixth time in the 384 nautical mile Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Race this year. Her achievements include triple victories of line/race record/overall win in the 2005 and 2012 Hobarts. She holds records in the Sydney Gold Coast (Open record set in 2012), Cabbage Tree Island (2012) and Port Hacking Bird Islet races (2013).
For those who like romance and long sweeping beautiful lines, the May 1930 launched Dorade may be the one to keep an eye on. This classic yawl took the yachting world by storm and made headlines around the world after scoring an upset victory in the 1931 Transatlantic Race from Newport, Rhode Island to Plymouth, competing against much larger boats. In the next 10 years, Dorade scored overall victories in the 1931 and 1933 Fastnet races and the 1936 TransPac Race. Adrienne Cahalan, the first woman to sail 25 Sydney to Hobarts, is navigating.
Matt Brooks and his partner Pam Rorke Levy purchased Dorade in 2010 and spent a year restoring her with the aim of competing in all the major races she had won. Since, she has beaten her Transatlantic, Newport-Bermuda, Fastnet and TransPac times of the 1930’s and made the podium of all, winning the 2013 TransPac overall into the bargain. Arriving in Australia this year, she placed third overall in the Brisbane Keppel race and 14th in the recent Newcastle Bass Island Race. The oldest boat in the fleet at 87, this is her and Brooks’ first Hobart.
In 2014 Landfall, the Tasmanian first Sparkman and Stephens yacht to be built outside of the USA celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the Rolex Sydney Hobart and her 80th birthday by racing south again. S&S was then at the beginning of what was to become the most famous yacht design firm in the world. Olin Stephens, just 25 at the time, was extremely surprised to find his first overseas commission came, not from Europe, but from Tasmania.
Built by Percy Coverdale at Battery Point and launched in 1935, the yacht has been sailed continuously ever since. Landfall finished 7th in the 1952 Sydney Hobart and at 40 years of age she competed in the 1976 race. Landfall will not be part of the 2017 fleet but Dorade is sure to carry her in spirit.
NEW YAWL MAKES NOTABLE ADDITION TO YACHTING FLEET
RESTING ON THE CRADLE just prior to making first acquaintance with the water of the Derwent, Land-fall, the graceful Dorade-type 44ft. yawl, built for Messrs. G. W. Rex and C. E; Davies, of Hobart,attracted the admiration of spectators who attended the launching ceremony at Mr. P. G. Coverdale's Battery Point slipyard yesterday. (See letterpress.)
YACHTING
LANDFALL LAUNCHED
Ceremony at Slipyard American Design Used Many Novel Features
(By "Outhaul.")
No finer yacht has been built at Hobart than the yawl Landfall, built by Mr. P. G. Coverdale to the order of Messrs. G. W. Rex and C. E. Davies, which was launched from the Battery Point slipyards yesterday afternoon in the presence of a representative gathering. Landfall was built to a design by Olin Stephens, the 26-year-old New York designer, who leapt into fame five years ago when he drew the plans of Dorade, the American yawl, which won the annual trans-Atlantic yacht race in 1930. Stephens has designed many out-standing craft since Dorade established his reputation, and his most recent achievement of note was Stormy Weather, which won the trans-Atlantic race this year.
The graceful craft was much admired as she rested on the cradle preparatory to the launching ceremony, tho bravo display of bunting fluttering gaily in the light southerly breeze. An attractive colour scheme comprised white topsides, sea-green underbody, and dark green water-line, with a gold streak just below the rail, which is of varnished kauri. The house-flag, a black-and-yellow pendant based on the International code flag "L," was flown at the main truck, the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania pendant at the mizzen head, and the blue pendant at the stern.
Mrs. C. E. Davies, mother of Mr. Davies, christened tho yawl, and broke the customary bottle of "bubbly'" at the bow. Landfall took the water like the proverbial duck, to the accompaniment of cheers.
Mr. G. H. Evans, Commodore of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, at a brief function subsequently in the builder's shed, congratulated the owners on their new craft and the builder on his workmanship. The club was pleased to have such a fine craft added to its register, he said.
Mr. E. H. Webster proposed the toast of "The Owners," both of whom, he said, had been members of his crew. Mr. Rex represented the third generation of a yachting family, who had always upheld the best traditions of the sport. The owners were to be congratulated on having launched out and secured such a fine design from across tho Pacific.
Mr. G. W. Rex said he and his co-owner wanted to race the new craft, but obstacles existed, which, he hoped, would be removed. Mr. Davies also spoke, and expressed the hope that they would have an opportunity of testing the yawl's speed against other yachts in races.
Mr. Rex proposed the toast of "The Builder," which was seconded by Mr. Webster. Mr. Coverdale responded.
MODERN EQUIPMENT.
Apart from the hull design and sail plan, which are on very modern lines, Landfall has many modern features in her rigging and general equipment. Her overall length ls 44ft., and along the waterline she measures 32ft. Her beam is 9ft. 9in., and her maximum draught 6ft. 6in. Her main mast, which is of oval section and hollow, towers 48ft. 2in. above the deck, while the mizzen is 23ft. 71/2in. high. The main boom, which also is hollow, is of square section, and is 21ft. long. The area of the Marconi-type mainsail is 465 sq. ft., and the total sail area is 859 sq. ft. The foresails include jib and jib-topsail. The spinnaker that will be carried will be 22ft. along the foot. The-sail and rigging plan was by Sparkman and Stephens, Inc., of New York.
The planked deck is reminiscent of "big ship" practice, and is in keeping with the planked roof of the main cabin. A novel arrangement of the main sheet permitsilt to be hauled aft from the front of the cockpit, and should make the main sheet hand's job much more comfortable than the usual system. Down-hauls are provided for "sweat-ing" tho Jib and Jib-topsail halliards. Small winches, operating on a ratchet device, are to be attached to tho sides of tho "house" for hauling in on the jib sheets. Tho cockpit is self-empty-ing, and with tho cabin doors closed, the yawl should bo "able to ride through al-most any sea without.shipping water. A small deck winch is provided for raising and lowering the anchor.
The comfortable interior possesses many features of interest. The main cabin has two bunks, with a folding table, at which seven persons could sit without crowding. Two 16-gallon water tanks are installed under the bunks, and water is pumped into the sink aft as required. Electric light is provided by means of a storage battery, and each bunk has its own light. In the state-room forward of tho main cabin there are two bunks, and two more are aft of the galley, which is just aft of the stairs leading into tho main- cabin. A twoburner stove is installed for cooking purposes in an enclosed cabinet, and facilities for preparing meals are avail-able. There is no scarcity of drawers and cupboards for the storage of food-stuffs and other articles. The panelling in the cabin is of polished Tasmanian oak and blackwood.
The rudder head is that formerly in-stalled in the yacht Mistral, which was raced many years ago by Mr. C. G. Rex, father of Mr. G. W. Rex.
NEW YAWL MAKES NOTABLE ADDITION TO YACHTING FLEET (1935, October 10 - Thursday). The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30058504
The ladies among this year's fleet will be represented in a record number, underlining a shift in sailing has occurred and will continue.
Sailing journalist Lisa Ratcliff will be in her first Sydney to Hobart after reporting on scores of them aboard the Elvina Bay based Kialoa II. This another S&S beauty designed in 1963 for Jim Kilroy, who owned and raced the record-breaking Kialoa sailboats from the 1950s to the 1980s, helping pioneer the era of maxi yacht racing.
This famous aluminium boat, converted to a yawl in 1968, came from the USA to the race just once - in 1971 - and under her famous owner, Jim Kilroy, took line honours in just over three and a half days. She took line honours in the 1966 Newport Bermuda and 1966 San Diego Acapulco races, won the 1969 Transatlantic Race from Newport to Cork, finished second on line in the 1969 Fastnet Race and took the double in the on the 1972 Trans-Tasman Race from Hobart to Auckland. Won and placed in many other races. Sydneysider Paddy Broughton bought the yacht in 2016 with his brother Keith, who resides in the UK, where the pair went to school.
Ahead of retracing the classic races the yacht had previously done, the Broughtons replaced the standing and running rigging, added new sails and tested all in the Rolex Fastnet Race. They finished 134th overall from over 300 entries, and 37th in a division of 60. Kialoa II was crewed by some of Broughton’s old Brindabella crew mates, including navigator Lindsay May and Tony Hearder – all booked for the Hobart, as is pro photographer, Dallas Kilponen, son of Kilroy’s abiding navigator , the late David ‘Fang’ Kilponen.
She arrived in Sydney on November 26th, a three month sail out from the U.K after the Fastnet. She will be Skippered by Paddy with Lindsay May OAM Navigating once more. Mr. May has won the Sydney-Hobart race overall a record equalling 3 times with Indian Pacific in 1984, Atara in 1991 and Love and War in 2006. He has started the race a record 44 consecutive times. He has been world 8 metre champion, Australian One Ton champion and represented Australia in the Admirals Cup (taking part in the Fastnet Race in 1983), the Southern Cross Cup and the Clipper Cup. Her full crew for the 2017 Sydney to Hobart; G Jackson, I Goldsworthy (2), G Chessells, L Ratcliff, M Souter (23), S Major, T Hearder, A Cutler (11), D Sawdon, J Beaton (8), G White (5), J Hastie (7), K Broughton (2), D Kilponen, S McCullum, C Land.
One yacht that will be Skippered, Navigated and crewed by women, is Lisa Blair's Climate Action Now. Lisa sailed in the 2011/2012 Clipper Round the World, then took on the ITL Solo Tasman Challenge from New Zealand to Australia. She placed PHS 13th overall in her first Hobart (2015). Then her next goal was to be the first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica, solo, non-stop and unassisted, but Climate Action’s mast broke in April, forcing her into Cape Town to repair. Lisa finished the task though; first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica solo, crossing the Albany, WA finish at the end of July. She embarked on her epic journey as the recipient of the 2017 Australian Geographic Society Nancy Bird Walton Sponsorship, which supports ground-breaking projects led by women. Lisa will race to Hobart with an all-female crew, including well-regarded British meteorologist, Libby Greenhalgh, who navigated SCA in the last edition of the VOR.
Lisa named her boat Climate Action Now to raise awareness of the environmental climate. It is the former Funnel-Web, originally owned by Ivan MacFadyen and Sibby Ilzhofer who contested the tough 2004 Sydney Hobart with it and finished 48th overall in a race where 59 finished and 57 retired.
Two other yachts bound to attract a few cheers are those announced to be competing this week in what is already being termed the 'ashes on water' as an Australian crew will steer a course for Hobart aboard Invictus Games Sydney 2018 DOWN UNDER with a UK Crew aboard Invictus Games Sydney 2018 GAME ON.
Two-time America's Cup champion and Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Ambassador James Spithill was on hand for the November 5th (Tuesday’s) announcement at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney where the Australian yacht was unveiled.
“Committing to take part in this iconic race is testament to the unconquerable spirit of the Invictus Games community,” said Spithill. “For those selected, this race will form part of their rehabilitation, as they use the healing power of sport to move forward in their recovery.
“I’m sure the ‘down under’ spirit of mateship will shine throughout this race in a celebration of achievement and determination, which is what the Invictus Games are all about.”
James and Tom Spithill - #IG2018 - photo courtesy RSHYR 2017 Media
The announcement builds on the excitement for Invictus Games Sydney 2018, presented by Jaguar Land Rover.
The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event for active duty and veteran servicemen and women. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women. They also recognise the significant contribution of family and friends in the recovery process.
The fourth Invictus Games will be held ‘down under’ where sailing will debut on the competition schedule. A veterans sailing program has been established by Soldier On and the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club to recruit an Australian crew for the Sydney Games and provide nationwide long-term opportunities for veterans to get active and stay connected within their community.
Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Chief Operating Officer, Ben Rahilly is urging all Australians to get behind the Games;
“Taking part in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is an exciting platform to showcase the healing power of sport as we build towards the Games in October 2018,” said Rahilly. “Sailing is a fantastic team sport creating amazing camaraderie both on and off the water creating the opportunity for veterans to be active and to connect.
“We hope all Australians will take this opportunity to cheer on our wounded warriors as they take on this iconic blue water classic.
“Taking part in this race would not be possible without the amazing support of Clipper Ventures, Help for Heroes, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, ClubsNSW and Jaguar Land Rover.” said Rahilly.
Jaguar Land Rover has a long history with the Invictus Games, being a part of the journey for every Games since the inaugural event in London in 2014 and have officially signed on to become the Presenting Partner of Invictus Games Sydney 2018.
Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Australia, Matthew Wiesner, said the company is incredibly proud to be supporting the participation in the race of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 yachts.
“As Presenting Partner of Invictus Games Sydney 2018, we are delighted to be able to extend our support to the Australian and UK wounded warriors competing on the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 DOWN UNDER and Invictus Games Sydney 2018 GAME ON yachts,” said Wiesner.
"Committing to take part in one of the most gruelling ocean races in the world is a testament to the spirit and determination of the Invictus Games competitors" he added.
The UK Crew, who have received funding support from UK not-for-profit Help for Heroes and private donors, is due to arrive in Sydney on 11 December.
“At Help for Heroes we want to empower our veterans to regain their purpose despite life changing injuries or illnesses so we were delighted to be able to support this initiative,” said Martin Colclough, Head of Sports Recovery at Help for Heroes.
“We are driven by the belief that those who put their lives on the line for us deserve a second chance at life and taking part in an event such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will enable our veterans to find a new direction to focus on whilst inspiring the nation.”
Intensive training is being provided for all crew by Clipper Ventures, the organisers of the biennial Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, as they prepare for the race start on 26 December.
Clipper Ventures Founder and legendary sailor, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who almost 50 years ago was the first man to sail solo, non-stop around the world, will join the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 GAME ON crew as the on-board navigator.
Sir Robin met the UK crew at the Clipper race headquarters in Hampshire, UK, ahead of their first training session.
“Clipper Ventures is very pleased to be supporting Invictus Games Sydney 2018 as it prepares to introduce sailing to the event line-up,” said Sir Robin.
“On a personal note, I have a huge respect for our veterans for dedicating their lives to the protection of others, so feel very proud to be joining the UK Crew in their challenge, and of course I’m also looking forward to helping them get an edge on our Australian competition!”
Support for the Australian Crew has also been provided by ClubsNSW, a Founding Partner of Invictus Games Sydney 2018 who are supporting the roll out of the Veterans Sailing Program through their 1,300 clubs.
“ClubsNSW are proud to be a Founding Partner of Invictus Games Sydney 2018 and we are so pleased to be supporting the Australian Crew as they prepare for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on board the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 DOWN UNDER yacht,” said ClubsNSW CEO Anthony Ball. “What a great way to introduce sailing to the event line-up in Sydney.”
The full crews will be announced in the coming days.
Follow their journey on the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 website at: www.invictusgames2018.org
Pittwater Sailors And Yachts - 2017 Sydney To Hobart
Wild Oats X
Competitor Details
Name Wild Oats X
Sail Number 7001
Owner The Oatley Family
Skipper Troy Tindill (9)
Crew E Smyth, T Spithill, S Mason
State NSW
Club HIYC
Type Reichel Pugh
Designer Reichel/Pugh 66
Builder McConaghy
Construction Carbon/ Nomex
LOA 19.7
Beam 4.6
Draft 4.6
Kialoa II
Competitor Details
Name Kialoa II
Sail Number AUS7742
Owner Patrick Broughton
Skipper Patrick Broughton (11)
Navigator Lindsay May (41)
Crew G Jackson, I Goldsworthy (2), G Chessells, L Ratcliff, M Souter (23), S Major, T Hearder, A Cutler (11), D Sawdon, J Beaton (8), G White (5), J Hastie (7), K Broughton (2), D Kilponen, S McCullum, C Land
State NSW
Club CYCA
Type S&S Yawl
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Yacht Dynamics
Construction Aluminium
LOA 23.0
Beam 4.5
Draft 3.6
Wild Oats XI
Competitor Details
Name Wild Oats XI
Sail Number 10001
Owner The Oatley Family
Skipper Mark Richards (15)
Crew A Henderson, B Marsh (1), C Harmsen (7), C Links (5), D Oatley (1), G Taylor (6), I Burns, I Murray (23), J Hildebrand (12), J Whittaker (15), M Mason (3), M Shillington (11), P Magee (6), R Naismith (11), R Daniel (11)
State NSW
Club HIYC
Type RP100
Designer Reichel Pugh
Builder McConaghy
Construction Carbon/Nomex
LOA 30.48
Beam 5.1
Draft 5.9
XS Moment BNMH
XS Moment from Pittwater is new to the race and so is her owner Ray Hudson, but he has done plenty of offshore races with her, including numerous Sydney Gold Coasts, in which they finished 20th overall and third in IRC Division 2 this year and 33rd overall the previous year. Locally, the pair finished 10th overall in the 2016 Pittwater Coffs, then finished third overall in the Production X Yachts class at the Sydney Harbour Regatta that March. This November, they were 12th overall in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, a qualifier for the Sydney Hobart. XS Moment is a luxury 44 foot racer/cruiser constructed in Denmark, the first of a new series for X Yachts.
Competitor Details
Name XS Moment BNMH
Sail Number 11744
Owner Ray Hudson
Navigator Frank Walker (13)
Crew T Baillie, M Williams (9), C Flanagan (3), T Harvey, I Westlake, D Bonallo (1), B Newton, G Holder(2), C Zonca (3), D De Coster (12)
State NSW
Club RPAYC
Type XP44
Designer Niels Jeppesen
Builder X Yachts
Construction Fibreglass
LOA 13.3
Beam 4.1
Draft 2.7
Takani
Takani finished PHS seventh overall in the 2016 Rolex Sydney Hobart. Making it special was two daughter’s racing with their dads; owner James Whittle with his 20 year-old daughter Taylah after she contested her first in 2014. Navigator, Bill Ratcliff, contested his 48th with daughter Katrina aboard for her first race south and the two are together again this year and plan to do Bill’s 50th together in 2018. The Hanse 495 finished the 2017 Sydney Gold Coast race PHS second overall. In her maiden Sydney Hobart in 2014, Takani was PHS 12th, but retired in 2015 with rudder damage. She came into Debbie and Jim Whittle’s lives in 2012 and named for their children; Taylah, Kasey and Nicholas. Jim celebrates his 53rd birthday on Boxing Day. A blow won’t hurt this boat.
Competitor Details
Name Takani
Owner James Whittle
Skipper James Whittle (2)
Navigator Stephen Prince (2)/Bill Ratcliff (2)
Crew P Townend, R Moore (28), M Ryan (1), D Salter, K Ratcliff (1)
State NSW
Club RPAYC
Type Hanse 495
Designer Judel Vrolijk
Builder Hanse Yachts
Construction GRP
LOA 15.4
Beam 4.8
Draft 2.4
Pekljus
David Ferrall started building Pekljus in 2001 for Don McIntyre’s solo around the world race, but when that event was cancelled, he put the project on hold, instead launching her in 2004, in time for the Sydney Hobart that year, but the Radford 50 was one of 57 retirees from the 116 starters. David Suttie has the yacht now and was PHS second in the 2017 Pittwater to Southport race. This bullet-proof boat has been set up for easy handling and for fast passage to destinations and will hold up well in a blow.
Competitor Details
Name Pekljus
Sail Number 6419
Owner David Suttie
Sailing Master Brad Anson (20)
Crew A Ebbott, R Palmer (2), J Suriano (3), C Watson (18), R Suttie, R Davies, D Reducka (2), M Gregory
State NSW
Club Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Type Radford 50
Designer Radford
Builder McIntyre Marine Composites
Construction GRP/Foam
LOA 15.24
Beam 3.66
Draft 3.25
LDV Comanche
Jim Clark and Neville Crichton have joined forces, with Crichton skippering LDV Comanche in this year’s race. He will be crewed by familiar faces from the 2014 and 2015 campaigns. Will face Wild Oats XI and Black Jack (former Alfa Romeo), the yacht Crichton sailed to line honours from WOXI in the 2009 race. He also took line honours in 2002 with a 90ft Alfa Romeo. Comanche contested the Hobart brand new in 2014, finishing 49 mins behind WOXI, and 2015 when she took line honours from Ragamuffin 100 - WOXI had retired. Now the downwind flyer is back – heaven help us if it is a downhill race - we’ve witnessed what she is capable of. In July 2017, with the Ken Read/Stan Honey combo, the yacht smashed the 2225 Transpac monohull record, half a day faster than the 2009 record of Crichton's ex Alfa Romeo. This after taking 24 hours off Marie Cha IV’s Transatlantic record, sailing 2880nm at an average of 21.44 knots.
In May 2015, she took the record/line//overall treble in the Block Island Race, then on July 12,2015, set a new 24 hour monohull speed record in the Transatlantic Race, covering 618.01 nautical miles (25.75 knot average). To put it in perspective, that’s just 10nm less than the Sydney Hobart. In August she won line honours in the fluky, light Rolex Fastnet Race by four and a half minutes after a race-long battle, with Rambler 88, then took line honours in all four races at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.
Competitor Details
Name LDV Comanche
Sail Number 12358
Owner Jim Clark & Neville Crichton
Skipper Neville Crichton (1)
Sailing Master Casey Smith (1)
Navigator Stan Honey
Crew S Pollard (7), J Cressant, N Burridge, W Fleury, J von Schwarz (3), S Falcone, D De Ridder, K Harrap, R Godfrey (11), K Keeley, J Slattery, T Rae, J Spithill, L Sinclair, D Rolfe
State NZL
Club NYYC
Type 100 Supermaxi
Designer Verdier Yacht Design & VPLP
Builder Hodgdon Yachts USA
LOA 30.48
A Few Others
Invictus Games 2018 Game On
The former Derry-Londonderry last ventured south in 2015 ad CV 10, finishing 37th overall and sixth in Division 2 after placing 79th overall when she represented the UK under the guidance of Clipper skipper, Piers Dudin, who also skippered her in 2015. The previous year she was skippered by James Dobie (also a Clipper skipper) to 49th overall. With four circumnavigations and more than 140,000 miles under her hull, Clipper Ventures 10 is a tried and tested yacht.
Competitor Details
Name Invictus Games 2018 Game On
Sail Number GBR9359T
Owner Clipper Ventures
State United Kingdom
Club Portsmouth
Type Clipper 68
Designer Ed Dubois
Builder Shanghai Double Happiness Shipyards
LOA 20.77
Beam 5.76
Draft 3.0
Invictus Games 2018 Down Under
In last year’s Hobart, Clipper Ventures 5 finished 64th overall and 13th in Division 2. It is the former Gold Coast Australia, winner of 12 from 15 legs in the 2011-12 Clipper Round the World race under Tasmanian skipper Richard Hewson. Prior to that, competed in the previous three Clipper races as Team Finland (was second), Jamaica (10th) and Jersey (ninth). Drew Hulton-Smith, a watch captain on Clipper Ventures 10 in the 2014 Hobart, skippered this boat to 40th overall in the 2015 Hobart. Before him, Piers Dudin skippered her to 56th in 2013. This and other 68s are utilised for Clipper race crew training and development for participation in local sailing events.
Competitor Details
Name Invictus Games 2018 Down Under
Sail Number GBR9354T
Owner Clipper Ventures
State United Kingdom
Club Portsmouth
Type Clipper 68
Designer Ed Dubois
Builder Shanghai Double Happiness Shipyards
LOA 20.77
Beam 5.76
Draft 3.0
Gun Runner
Gun Runner, the second smallest boat in the fleet this year, is owned by the Army Sailing Club. She was raced at the 2017 Sydney Harbour Regatta as part of the ADFSA Inter-Service Yachting Championship, finishing eighth in Non-Spinnaker PHS. The Jarkan 925 also finished PHS seventh overall in the 2017 Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. Gun Runner exists to promote sailing within the Army and teaches the Army values of courage, initiative, respect and teamwork. This will be her first Sydney Hobart.
Competitor Details
Name Gun Runner
Sail Number 3867
Owner Australian Army
Skipper Maurice Young
Sailing Master Murray Stewart
Navigator Kevin O'Rourke
Crew S Young, C Cushway, A McDonell
State NSW
Club ASC
Type Jarkan
Construction GRP
LOA 9.3
Beam 2.4
Draft 1.2
Dorade
Famous American classic wooden boat Dorade is a revolutionary S&S, designed by a then 21 year-old Olin Stephens and built under younger brother Rod’s (20) supervision. Features a deep keel with external ballast, very narrow beam and a generous sail plan. The yawl took the yachting world by storm and made headlines around the world after scoring an upset victory in the 1931 Transatlantic Race from Newport, Rhode Island to Plymouth, competing against much larger boats. In the next 10 years, Dorade scored overall victories in the 1931 and 1933 Fastnet races and the 1936 TransPac Race. Adrienne Cahalan, the first woman to sail 25 Hobarts, is navigating.
Matt Brooks and his partner Pam Rorke Levy purchased Dorade in 2010 and spent a year restoring her with the aim of competing in all the major races she had won. Since, she has beaten her Transatlantic, Newport-Bermuda, Fastnet and TransPac times of the 1930’s and made the podium of all, winning the 2013 TransPac overall into the bargain. Arriving in Australia this year, she placed third overall in the Brisbane Keppel race and 14th in the recent Newcastle Bass Island Race. The oldest boat in the fleet at 87, this is her and Brooks’ first Hobart.
Competitor Details
Name Dorade
Sail Number 16
Owner Matt Brooks
Skipper Kevin Miller
Navigator Adrienne Cahalan (25) & Matt Wachowicz
Crew M Brooks, E Chownoski, M Giles, J Hayes, H Beatie
State USA
Club Newport
Type S&S Yawl
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Minnefords Yacht Yard
Construction Wood
LOA 16.0
Beam 3.1
Draft 2.5
