Sailors of two-handed boats say they are “very excited” to be competing for the overall prize in the Sydney to Hobart race after being declared ineligible last year due to handicap concerns.
Boats with only two people on board were allowed to enter the Boxing Day race for the first time in 2021. But race organisers were unable to factor in a suitable handicap, as the boats partly rely on an autopilot system in lieu of a human helm, in time for the race.
The two-handed crew of Currawong; Kathy Veel, 70, and Bridget Canham, 62.
Credit:Louise Kennerley
This year, 22 boats will enter the two-handed category, making it the fastest-growing section of the race.
Carlos Aydos, who will sail the two-handed yacht Crux with teammate Peter Grayson, said the large number of boats entering the category had increased the level of competition.
“There is a really strong fleet participating here,” he said. “So while [we are] able to win the fully crewed prize as a two-handed boat, we also have a lot more competition than we had last year.”
He said he was relieved the two-handed boats would battle for the overall prize after last year’s confusion.
LawConnect skipper Christian Beck last year joined some of the Sydney to Hobart’s biggest names in slamming the organisers’ decision to make two-handed boats ineligible for the overall prize.Credit:CYCA/Salty Dingo
“The handicap system is a very blunt instrument. It’s just a single number that multiplies your time and, at the end of several days, it adjusts your final time. Now different boats perform differently in different conditions, so that number is not necessarily right for all wind conditions.”
Two-handed sailors Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham, who are among the oldest competitors in the race at 70 and 62, welcomed the fact they will be eligible to win on their boat Currawong.
“Handicaps have been set to give anyone the chance of winning the race. I think that’s fair enough,” Veel said.
The organisers’ decision to ban two-handed boats from the Tattersall Cup drew harsh criticism from some big names in sailing, including Scallywag skipper David Witt, who labelled it “ridiculous”.
“You can’t have a two-hander without an autopilot,” he said before last year’s race. “So if you’re going to have them in the race, it shouldn’t even be a subject of discussion.
“I find it ridiculous that you can enter a race but you are not allowed to win … I’ve never seen that in any other sport. If you’re allowed to go in the race, you should be allowed to win it.”
Last year, the two-handed teams had to settle for competing for the overall prize in their class.
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