The Traditional Hobart
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor 1 Dec 13:00 PST
AFR Midnight Rambler – the Hick 34 in Bass Strait during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Race – likely the most recognizable image from this historic competition © Richard Bennett Photography
Intriguing. You encounter the expression fairly often, but what does it truly entail? One thing’s certain. People aren’t rushing to buy all the full-keel boats to make the trip to Hobart at six knots, regardless of the wind’s direction. Comfortable? Absolutely, and if you enjoy leisurely sailing, it’s undoubtedly the way to go.
However, if you identify as an adrenaline enthusiast, yearning to be buried in the windward quarter, fixated on the speed over ground (SOG) reading at the base of the mast, barking out bids starting at 23 dollars fifty, then 25 dollars, and finally 27 dollars fifty as you race down the crests of those enormous blue waves, then tradition signifies something entirely different.
Generally, the term refers to starting out of Sydney Harbour smoothly, often tacking with your festive lunch still settling in your stomach, rounding the first of the ‘restart’ marks, then hoisting the spinnaker for an excursion down the New South Wales coastline before bracing for the inevitable Southerly buster, hoping to catch a glimpse of it before night falls.
Indeed. Traditional. If you participated in many of the races during the 90s, you might still be questioning why you even took the time to secure the kite gear to the rail before departing the quay… If this race has earned the title of the 628nm Windward/Leeward, what exactly happened to the leeward component?
Thus, the weather is a crucial factor, and there has never been a race where nature did not hold the final say in determining the overall winner (among other considerations). Winning your division is essential, and after that, it all comes down to the timing and the wind.
One certainty regarding the weather, regardless of your history or experience, is that change is the fundamental characteristic of weather in Southeastern Australia during the Christmas season. Beautiful one day, fierce the next.
Now let’s examine the boats. In 1975, the remarkable and stunning Kialoa III set a record of 2 days, 14 hours, 36 minutes, and 56 seconds. She was a 78-foot S&S-designed maxi ketch, with a weight similar to that of Bill Barry-Cotter’s 100-foot alloy Oyster competing in this year’s race – including roasts and red wine.
To put it on record, that’s 62 and a half hours, give or take. Now compare this with the Big Red Girl’s current record from 2022 of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds. At just over 33 hours, Comanche’s record is closer to half than anything else. It was the same year URM Group took the title of the fastest conventionally ballasted record holder from Brindabella, which had held the previous mark for quite a while. This illustrates the passage of time, and that’s the significant point here.
It’s a new tradition. The boats literally zoom past some of the historic waypoints like a Ute on a farm driven by an underage operator who snagged the keys off the hook. And it’s not only the elite competitors. The 30-footers are exciting, and the double-handed crews dominating this size segment, making up nearly a quarter of the entire fleet, are just minutes away from claiming the Tattersall Cup. If they do, there’s a strong argument for letting them keep it!
So what’s in store for 2024? Well, summer hit Northern NSW rather early (spring was practically skipped), and the water temperature clearly reflects this. Large, nearly continental-scale systems and deep troughs, capable of drawing moisture from the Timor Sea to Melbourne, have been frequent, akin to flights between Darwin and Sydney. Changes can occur in just two days, or conditions can become as static as a skyscraper’s foundations. Oh, did someone mention precipitation?
In summary, one might think this indicates that the larger boats would thrive in one system or be the first to face the transition. Unfortunately, lacking a working crystal ball means I’ll have to settle for checking conditions from the companionway hatch.
Right. Weather discussed, which leads us back to the boats. The village of TP boats isn’t as populated as it once was. Don’t worry; there are still plenty capable of making a difference. But—and it’s a significant but—there are several vessels in what was traditionally referred to as the pocket maxi division (see what I did there), now known as mini maxis or 60-72 feet, demanding a bit more attention.
Yes, Alive won last year (well done for #2), but the 52-footers have long been in the spotlight. Driven fiercely (read: pushed to their limits), they are tough to surpass. Not exactly what you’d call comfortable, and constantly operating at the rev limiter has you worrying about valve damage, pistons, and rods, before catastrophic failures.
Marcus Ashley-Jones helms Anthony Johnston’s R/P 72, URM Group, and they continue improving, as evidenced by their impressive trophy collection. Last year, they came second overall by approximately 20 minutes (on corrected time), so it’s fair to say they are motivated to secure a win.
When asked if 2024 might be the year of the mini maxis, Ashley-Jones replied, “I truly hope so. We raced Caro (Botin 52) in the Bird Island race two weekends ago, and it’s an exceptional boat. They are likely the hottest offshore IRC vessel currently, serving as the benchmark, and everyone seems to base their performance off of that. However, if we can find our own weather system and sail away from them, or if we have more upwind conditions, being a larger boat allows us to navigate the waves more effectively, which means we know we can ultimately outpace them.” Note that waterline length (LWL) is very important…
“In moderate wind conditions while running with a spinnaker, those 52s are phenomenal. They weigh barely seven tonnes, while we are nearly 12 tonnes heavier, so it requires considerably more effort for us to achieve planing and high speeds. Certainly, upwind conditions favor the mini maxis. The Sydney to Hobart race resembles playing poker. You must work with the hand you’re dealt, and you won’t truly grasp the final outcome until you’ve reached the Derwent, where victory is usually determined.”
“Elsewhere, David Griffith and Whisper are exceptionally well-optimized for IRC, and they sail remarkably well. Alive is similarly more suited for downwind sailing, while we excel in upwind conditions, boasting excellent righting moment—even without water ballast. It would be fantastic to have the conditions go in our favor.”
“Traditionally, the Sydney Hobart has been regarded as an upwind contest, but these days, you only need about 24 hours of nor’easter, and you can almost reach Tasman Light after just one day. This evolution has shifted the race, largely because boats are significantly faster now. If it begins with a Northerly and transitions into a genuine Southerly, expect roughly 20% of the fleet to withdraw, as many current boats are built quite lightly and suffer from breakages.”
“Similarly, the 100-footers cannot push too hard upwind, as it risks damaging the boat. You can’t launch off waves at 13 or 14 knots on a supermaxi. You really need to nurse them through a Southerly, whereas the mini maxis are just right in size, allowing you to push them nearly to their maximum speed even upwind in breezy conditions. Plus, they’re more comfortable and capable of handling it well due to their displacement (15-20 metric tonnes).”
“We’d love to exit the Harbour on a beautiful summer day, set the spinnaker, and head down the coast with a freshening nor’easter that swings around to the nor’wester as the front passes through. It’s always exciting to drive through a Southerly buster with green clouds, hail, and even an ominous storm cloud charging toward you.”
“As long as it’s an ‘S’ direction, we’re definitely happy and well-equipped. We would relish nothing more than to hit the water, set the heavy air jib, reef the main, and slog it out for a day or so. That would be an ideal race for us. So, we’re not looking for too much running, unless it’s particularly heavy air running, in which case we have a boat suitable for pushing hard, with a superbly talented crew on board. We’ll be strong in such conditions, too.”
Regarding the change arriving soon after they round the first corner, “Exactly, that’d be optimal. Perhaps around 1600 hours, before it gets dark. It would signal what’s coming.” Preparing for his 20th Hobart, Ashley-Jones remarked, “Back in the nineties and early 2000s, the polars of the leading boats were slower than ours today. We estimate our race time to be between about 45 hours to perhaps 55, depending on the conditions. Those were considered incredible times two decades ago. You’re simply not out there for as long.”
The Volvo 70 was, and remains, a genuine offshore powerhouse. Sam Haynes has chartered Willow (formerly Maserati) for the race since his Hobart-winning TP, Celestial, has moved on. The Volvo will carry the name Celestial V70, identifiable by the retained Willow livery and the Assistance Dogs Australia branding on the sails. The latter is a wonderful charity for which dedicated Haynes serves as a director.
“We’re aboard the boat training this week, then competing in the Cabbage Tree race with essentially the same Celestial crew. Some are specialists in Volvo 70s, including our Sailing Master and Tactician Rob Greenhalgh, who has participated in five round-the-world races. He was also part of the Giacomo crew when it won the Hobart in 2016. Celestial’s Manager and Team Leader, along with Watch Captain, Jack Macartney, and crew members Luke Parkinson, Luke Payne, Harry West, Frank O’Leary, Lewis Brake, Pete Cumming, David Chapman, Liam Wolf on the bow, and Alex Nolan as Navigator (known for Black Jack fame) will be on board,” said Haynes.
“We’re optimistic for some wind and the right angles to maximize our water ballast. Ultimately, it hinges on the conditions, as it always does. I’d be pleased with a consistent downhill path all the way with a headwind at Tasman Light. We’ll see how it unfolds. Given the crew’s caliber, I’m confident they’ll make Celestial shine for Assistance Dogs Australia!”
Clearly, the crew understands what it takes to win, having been a cohesive team for years. Haynes stated, “The boat is in exceptional shape, fully prepared for the race, with an excellent sail plan as well. Boat Captain David Burt is joining us, as is Engineer Ted Hackney.”
“As for the boat, it deviates somewhat from what I’m accustomed to; the interior is more user-friendly than that of a TP52. It’s equipped with a proper head, a cozy galley, and a navigation area tailored for long ocean races, offering better berths and ample headroom.” Always in good spirits, Haynes quipped, “They say you shouldn’t embark on a Hobart voyage on a boat shorter than your age, so let’s just say I’m past the 52-foot mark.”
Celestial the VO70 will also feature markings from the Sydney Bulldog Clinic to showcase Haynes’s connection with the veterinary clinics. “Assistance Dogs Australia provides support canines for individuals with physical and mental challenges, including PTSD and ADHD,” explained Haynes. On the upcoming 80th edition, Haynes might reprise his role as sailing Commodore of the race: “I’d love to, but we’ll have to see how everything unfolds. I guess I’m a bit addicted, and I’d hate to feel the fear of missing out.”
As for being absent from the TP fleet, “A TP has to be pushed to the limit to succeed. You have Caro, Centennial 7, and Smuggler, and back in 2022, we had Gweilo, Patrice, and Warrior Won, with that latter group sitting out in 2024. You need to challenge each other throughout the race. There’s plenty going on in that fleet.”
“I’m genuinely enthusiastic about sailing with our crew once again. While it’s certainly manual labor, which we’re accustomed to, we hope to tap into the boat’s strengths effectively. Jack Macartney is an incredible driver. It’ll be exciting to witness that under the right conditions.”
Alright. There it is. There’s so much more available on the group’s websites for you. Just use the search bar, or the ‘edition’ dropdown menu at the top right of the masthead to find the details. Enjoy your sailing, stay safe, and thanks for tuning in to Sail-World.com!
John Curnow
Sail-World.com AUS Editor
