Sydney’s super maxis experienced hell on high water as they battled their way out of Sydney Harbour.
But you wouldn’t have suspected anything was amiss from the hundreds of spectator craft who enjoyed the hot summer weather, and occasionally found themselves in the fray as the giant yachts sped directly towards them.
While spectators drank champagne and basked in the glory of a 29-degree sunny public holiday, crews on the super maxis were caught in multiple near-catastrophic collisions – and their language reflected the sense of drama.
The three leading boats out of the Heads.Credit:James Brickwood
“That was f—ing bullshit,” one crew member onboard the 30.5 metre Andoo Comanche exclaimed following an incident shortly after the starter’s gun fired at 1pm. “You’re asking for a clusterf—,” said another as the boat came within metres of its competitors and was forced to change course.
The high-stress environment wasn’t helped by the sheer number of spectator boats that sailors had to navigate, which race organisers said was “easily double” that of previous years.
“Get rid of that guy,” one skipper instructed his crew, as a spectator boat made a significant wash in front of their boat.
Crowds gathered at South Head to watch the fleet leave the harbour.Credit:James Brickwood
But back on the spectator boats, life couldn’t have been better.
“It was pretty fun when [we waited] for the boats,” said 22-year-old Emma, who watched with her family on a boat from the yacht squadron at Kirribilli. “You can hear the starting cannon go off. And there were so many different boats watching the start.”
“There were families, little kids, grandparents. [There were] definitely a few intergenerational families.”
After a morning of thick fog blanketed the city, crowds were eager to enjoy the sunshine on land, with thousands packing lookouts on the north and south of Sydney Harbour to catch a glimpse of the 100-plus strong fleet.
There was concern earlier in the day that diesel found to be leaking from a generator into the harbour at Rose Bay would derail celebrations and viewing from that beach, but Fire and Rescue NSW said it was quickly contained.
Locals can expect another glorious day on the water on Tuesday, as Sydney climbs to 28 degrees. There won’t be any boats, of course – but that may lower the stress.
