The wet weather gear is getting packed, the biggest sails are being checked, and navigation plans are being finessed as sailors prepare to mark the first “normal” Sydney to Hobart in three years.
The CYCA at Darling Point is full as crews make last minute preperations for the 2022 Sydney to Hobart yacht race.Credit:Jessica Hromas
Arthur Lane is the new Commodore for the Cruising Yacht Club at Rushcutters Bay, the organiser of the race.Credit:Jessica Hromas
Bushfire smoke covered the race in 2019, the pandemic cancelled competition in 2020, and a chaotic start last year saw dozens of sailors forced to pull out last minute as Omicron ravaged Sydney. At last, a routine race looks on the cards. But veterans of the race know: nothing about the Sydney to Hobart is routine.
Arthur Lane, the commodore of the race’s organising body, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, said crews can expect “a very different race” compared to the past few years.
“Just before [last year’s] race started we had to close down a lot of things because of COVID coming back,” he said. “There was no spectator fleet. It was very, very, quiet, the whole race.”
Lane is far more positive about this year’s edition.
“The race will start on time with lots of spectators – tens of thousands of people on the headlands of Sydney, the actual harbour will be chockers with spectator vessels.”
The race will begin at 1pm on Boxing Day, with 110 yachts competing for line honours and the overall prize, the Tattersall Cup – awarded to the fastest boat after adjusting for physical measurements.
Among those sailing the route for the first time will be Holly Griffith, who will be joining her father David on JV62 boat Whisper. Having watched her dad, who owns the yacht, competing many years in the blue water classic, Holly recently plucked up the courage to ask to join him.
“I’m apprehensive, but I’m cautiously optimistic,” she said. “This is going to be the biggest challenge I’ve ever undertaken. So just to get to the end is really the key, without having too many meltdowns on the way there.”
Father and daughter duo David and Holly Griffith will sail together for the first time in this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race, on the family’s yacht Whisper. Credit:Jessica Hromas
“It means a lot to me. I’ve watched Dad sail out of the heads many years in the past. And I decided this year that I wanted to do it with him.
“I feel like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a lot of women don’t get the opportunity to do things like this.”
And if they get through the rough seas and heavy wind, will they survive being in such close quarters for days on end?
“If we were on a two-hander, probably not,” admitted father David. “But because we’re going to have 17 people on board, there’ll be enough between the two of us to dilute the tension.”
“I think we’ll have a wonderful time together. It’s one of those occasions you don’t get again. So we’re all in good shape.”
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