Sat, 23 Dec 2006 12:00:00 UTC
ABN AMRO ONE challenges Wild Oats XI in the famous Sydney to Hobart Race, starting on Boxing Day
The Rolex Sydney Hobart is more than just a yacht race; it’s an institution. Since 1945, yachts have gathered in Sydney Harbour to race the 628 nautical miles to Hobart, Tasmania. The race has a pioneering spirit much like the people of Australia and that is why hundreds of spectator boats and millions of people will be watching as the events unfold for the 61st race on Boxing Day, this Christmas.
Last year Wild Oats XI, the 100ft (30m) canting keel maxi with automatic winches, smashed the course record by over an hour winning the race outright. But this time she will have to contend with Volvo Race winner, Black Betty - ABN AMRO ONE (watch video here), complete with a hotshot crew of Volvo Ocean racers.
Crew changes
Mike Sanderson, Brad Jackson, Stan Honey, Emma Sanderson (nee Richards), Rob Greenhalgh, Seb Josse, Brian Macinnes, Justin Slattery, Nick Bice, Neil Cox, Scott Beavis, Phil Harmer, Matt Stechmann, George Peet and Chris Nicholson will all be onboard, making up the team.
Helmsman of ABN AMRO ONE, Rob Greenhalgh explains some of the changes team has had to make their boat in order to comply with the rules for this event:
“We can only carry four of our spinnakers and we are not permitted to stack the sails on deck. So to compensate for this, we are sailing with seven extra crew which will put back some of the weight on the rail, but the boat will not be balanced as well as she was in the Volvo Ocean Race, “ he says.
Greenhalgh is looking forward to being back in Sydney where he won the 18ft skiff world championships, although he says he would be surprised if ABN AMRO ONE could beat Wild Oats.
“She [Wild Oats] was built for this race and because we are racing under the IRC rule, it is unlikely that we can perform as well as we did in the Volvo Ocean Race,” he explained.
Justin Slattery will be back on the bow of ABN AMRO ONE for his fifth Sydney Hobart Race. “I couldn’t honestly say it is an enjoyable experience, the conditions can be absolutely horrendous. In 2001, racing on Volvo Ocean 60 News Corp, we had to contend with a huge water spout! Although I doubt that we will keep up with Wild Oats on the water, but if we have a big sea state, they may have to back off a little more than we do.”
Jeremy Robinson of North Sails, also onboard News Corp in 2001, has won the Rolex Sydney Hobart, helming Aera in 2004 says: “The race can be won on handicap by boats further down the fleet. Statistically a boat of 50 feet is the optimum size for handicap; the big maxis often finish up the Derwent River at night with little wind to speak of, whilst the smaller boats tend to have the advantage of arriving in daylight with new breeze.”
Race course
The race track takes the boats from the safe confines of Sydney Harbour to the Tasman Sea and across Bass Strait, one of the most storm-frequented stretches of ocean on the planet, and then onwards to Tasmania and huge party in Hobart.
The race usually serves up a real cocktail of conditions, as tactical weather expert, Mike Broughton competing on Chris Bull’s Jazz, explains:
“Traditionally the race starts with warm air conditions in Sydney Harbour and a beat to Sydney Heads with north easterly head winds. After reaching the Tasman Sea, it is decision time; stay inshore or go offshore, the right answer is affected by many considerations including; the sea state, offshore winds and the east Australian current.
“Another criterion is where to position your boat on the race course to cross Bass Strait. Historically, depressions come in from the south. Bass Straight is notorious for gales, originating from Antarctica. When a depression reaches the fleet, it can get cold, wet and extremely windy very quickly indeed. Your angle to the new wind and waves are a key aspect of tactics.
Once reaching Tasmania, playing the Derwent River into Hobart is a crucial phase of the race, many races have been won or lost in those last few miles.”
If any boat can beat Wild Oats XI, then it must be ABN AMRO ONE, and this crew certainly knows how to push to boat to the limit.