Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2012; What They Said Yesterday and Today

by Crosbie Lorimer on 27 Dec 2012
The Wild Oats XI team talk to Roger ’Clouds’ Badham at his annual ’seawall briefing’ for skippers and crew beside the CYCA. Left to right Adrienne Cahalan, Roger Badham, Iain Murray and Michael Jarvin. - Rolex Sydney Hobart Race 2012 Crosbie Lorimer http://www.crosbielorimer.com
A quick whip around of the crews and the skippers on the dock in the hours before departure provides a spectrum of interesting perspectives on the race, ranging from the technical to the personal. The following images taken by Crosbie Lorimer are accompanied by brief quotes from each of the individuals that he spoke to yesterday.

Meantime on the race course, yesterday's lumpy conditions have given way to some fine downwind sailing in strong northerlies that are careering the fleet down the NSW coast and for the leaders seeing them well across Bass Strait. Wild Oats XI is east of the rhumbline, sailing on 170 degrees at 23 knots almost parallel with the northern tip of mainland Tasmania and ahead of her 2005 record winning position at this stage in the race.

Steve Kemp aboard Secret Men's Business 3.5 said this afternoon by satphone ' The boat's flying, we've got a big spinnaker on and we're sailing along happily in strong northerlies'.

Jim Cooney, skipper of Brindabella was equally content with the conditions, 'This is as good as it gets; we've had boat speeds up to 22.5 knots; we're in very good shape and we're about 1.5 hours away from a gybe to close with the coast for the westerly change. We'll probably run parallel to the coast about 20-30 nm off the land'.

At the other end of the fleet Tail End Charlie (quite literally) is Charlie's Dream, whose crew are also enjoying good sailing conditions and some fine food as well. A quick call to Peter Lewis from the media centre in Hobart early this afternoon revealed that lunch aboard today will include smoked chicken, prosciutto, King Island Double Brie, tasty cheese, pickled onions and Jallapinos.

'We're washing that down with a nice Chardonnay' said a very relaxed Peter Lewis, adding the they were sailing in much better conditions today after 'wallowing around' in next to no wind during the early hours. 'Fortunately, as we're bringing up the rear of the fleet there was no-one behind us to take advantage of the hole we got stuck in!'







Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitNavico AUS Zeus3S FOOTERSelden 2020 - FOOTER

Related Articles

Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 6
Arguably the best female Freestyle final of all time Sarah-Quita Offringa pushed all the way by Maaike Huvermann in arguably the best female Freestyle final of all time, while Yentel Caers wins ‘Battle of Belgium' against Steven Van Broeckhoven to hold respective event leads.
Posted today at 11:48 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | D2 Inshore Racing Videos
One race and then it was all done. Very light and even a bit of liquid sunshine. One race and then it was all done. Very light and even a bit of liquid sunshine.
Posted today at 10:57 am
How to follow RORC Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
At present 451 yachts are entered, which, if all start on Saturday, will break the previous record. This year's centennial edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race will set sail this Saturday, 26 July from the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes, Isle of Wight, bound for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France.
Posted today at 10:30 am
WASZP Games 2025 Day 3
When racing got under way, it was a game of patience, persistence, and pressure-hunting Day 3 of the WASZP Games dawned with cautious optimism as the early risers in the boat park were greeted by a light but promising northerly breeze. However, an approaching front caused the race committee to call a three-hour postponement.
Posted today at 8:23 am
Masters Games in Canberra early bird entries
More than 200 sailors are expected to hit the waters of Lake Burley Griffin More than 200 sailors are expected to hit the waters of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra this October as part of the 2025 Australian Masters Games
Posted today at 6:52 am
Admiral's Cup Paul Wyeth Wednesday Photo Gallery
The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul still makes the action come alive The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul Wyeth still makes the action come alive with his photos. Here's his gallery from the racing on Wednesday in the 2025 Admiral's Cup.
Posted today at 5:26 am
Admiral's Cup PKC Media Wednesday Photo Gallery
Out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action Patrick Condy of PKC Media was out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action in the 2025 Admiral's Cup. Here are his selection of photos from the racing!
Posted today at 5:06 am
Admiral's Cup Ingrid Abery Wednesday Gallery
Up close and personal with the teams on a lighter wind day Thanks to her long lens and skill, Ingrid Abery got up close and personal with the Admiral's Cup teams on a lighter wind day in the Solent. Enjoy these crew photos, and many more in the gallery above!
Posted today at 4:46 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Day One Inshore Racing Pics
An excellent day's racing with good breeze. Day One of Inshore Racing at the 2025 Admiral's Cup was highlighted by good breeze.
Posted today at 1:09 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Inshore Racing Videos
Day One summary and interviews with many competitors Day One summary and interviews with Back2Black, Black Pearl, Beau Ideal, Beau Geste, and Teasing Machine.
Posted today at 12:45 am