The calm before the storm: A front-row seat for Sydney to Hobart start
The crowds gathered early at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia to get a glimpse of some of the 104 entrants in the 79th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
The queues formed in two orderly lines: one for the bacon and egg rolls and the other to walk down the narrow gangway to greet the crews forming tight huddles to go through last-minute checks.
Each greeting was a variation of “go fast, but be safe”. Under sunny blue skies and only a slight breeze, it sounded slightly incongruous – but this is a race where conditions change instantly.
The heavy canvas seatbelts in the media boat acted as a silent warning as the press pack bounced across Sydney Harbour to move into position ahead of the customary 1pm start to view the three 100-foot supermaxi yachts competing for line honours.
There were two main vantage points for spectators, and both were filled to capacity. The cliffs beside Shark Beach provided a free spot for those with good binoculars while berths aboard The Jackson, a luxury yacht serving canapes and sparkling wine, went for $390.
Both sets of spectators were treated to an early tussle between LawConnect and Master Lock Comanche. LawConnect, last year’s line honours winner, was the first to get its nose in front, manoeuvring expertly past its chief rival and leaving the fleet’s third supermaxi, Wild Thing 100, behind in its wake.
The yachts jostle for position before the start of the Sydney to Hobart.Credit: Rhett Wyman
LawConnect’s owner and skipper Christian Beck is a master of self-deprecation, describing his multi-million dollar craft affectionately as “a shitbox”. Everything is relative, though, and compared to Comanche – which is wider and lighter than before – Beck knew the odds of his crew repeating last year’s success on the River Derwent was limited.
The change in conditions came suddenly. After the balmy swell of Sydney Harbour, the seas grew rougher as the fleet passed through Sydney Heads. On the media boat, the press contingent divided itself into two groups: the seasoned old salts of the sailing press and the newcomers, who were advised to sit at the stern with a bottle of water and, if the need arose, to be sick over the back. Out of sight and, hopefully, out of mind.
