2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race – Launch day interviews

by Nic Douglass on 24 Nov 2015 The launch of the Rolex Sydney Hobart for 2015 was held today at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

Nic Douglass managed to catch up with Mark Richards (Richo) multiple overall winner handicap and line honours with Wild Oats XI, Roger Hickman (Hicko), last year's overall winner, and Sean Kearns (Kearnsie), the winner of the Sydney Gold Coast race ahead of Boxing Day.

Chat on all things RSHYR, including the WOXI 'nose job' and what really makes an overall winner.

A few stats:

- 110 entries
- Six former overall winners
- 28 international entries, including entries for the first time from China (two)
- Four super maxis; Wild Oats XI, Comanche, Team Ragamuffin, and Perpetual Loyal
- Other maxis include Rambler 88, and the V70 Maserati
- 10 TP52s, a record for the class in this race
- The eldest boat is 80 years old, there are a handful of brand new boats (including the new Concubine a Mills 45 from SA and Avalanche, a Hick 40 from VIC), and some have had major makeovers, including Wild Oats XI as in the interview.



Nic Douglass, the Sailor Girl, is a Sydney based sailor, sailing commentator and icon of the Sydney and Australian sailing scene. Nic is a former two-time World and six-time Australian champion in the Tasar class and has competed in women's match racing on the Olympic and world circuit winning both grade one and Olympic World Cup regattas.

More at website, or via Adventures of a Sailor Girl on Facebook