Sydney Hobart preparations - Jason Antill

by North Sails, Australia on 9 Dec 2016 Whilst much of the media and interest surrounds the grand prix end of town, and the chase for line honours and handicap bragging rights. Winning Hobart isn’t the reason it is such a challenge for so many. Every year newcomers are inducted, new boats, new skippers and new crews.

It is the challenge that is so appealing to so many, and the feeling of accomplishment in completing the great race, and doing it competently and safely. To feel the reward, a lot of effort must go into the preparation. At North Sails we congratulate all the skippers and crews for their dedication at this time of the year in getting boats prepared.

This preparation isn’t any different for a 40 footer or a 100 footer, ensuring your systems work, you have the right sail plan, building the right crew, and most importantly learning to sail for multiple days.

Most of the sailing we experience in Australia is relatively short day or overnight races, the Hobart for many boats stretches this to three or four days, and just being able to cater for the number of people on board for that period of time presents its challenges. In saying that this year on Charlotte catering will not be the issue it was last year on the Farr 40 Komodo.

Watch teams and plans are essential and need rigorous enforcing, however when the inevitable shit hits the fan, flexibility and the ability to re-group become important.

In supporting our customers North Sails continues to have more people on more boats than any other sail making or yachting related business. Alby Pratt has relieved Michael Coxon on duties aboard the Loyal after many years on Wild Oats. Michael will be on the Volvo 70 Maseratti.

We are also proud that our apprentice Matt Te Hau will be sailing on Patrice Six.

Others involved in the great race:

• Mark Bradford - Black Jack
• Vaughan Prentice - Black Jack
• Nick Beaudoin - Patrice 6
• Billy Sykes - Ichi Ban
• Aaron Cole - Terra Firma
• Ron Jacobs - St Jude
• Nick Davies - Victoire (Perth Charter)
• Jason Antill - Charlotte