Sydney-Hobart- First, Second and Third!
by John Curnow on 27 Dec 2014
Wild Rose is the defending Blue Water Champion Ian Mainsbridge
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There is absolutely no way anyone can predict these before the vast majority of the still 109 vessels racing actually get to Hobart Town. One can, however, talk about the very things that do go into making these results that so many chase and to do so, we have to work through a myriad of vessel designs, ages and types.
First and in a way, most importantly, you have the race to the Heads. This is the top corner, so to speak. It is relatively short and does not mean much in the overall scheme of things, but it means a lot to the many crews, for it shows that you have pace when you need it.
Second is who gets to Tasman Island Lighthouse first. It’s the bottom corner, if you like and the best part of 600nm later. The fleet just about always gets reset there, but again, you get some bragging rights and an even brighter glimmer of hope that you could really do this. You just have to charge across the oh-so-aptly named Storm Bay to claim your prize.
Third is another first – as in who gets there and then at what time of day. It’s The Iron Pot. It marks the start of the River Derwent and is one more re-set of the fleet. Don’t go too close to see what all the fuss is about, however. A few have and it never turns out well, for it is capable of stopping a yacht doing 15 knots dead in its tracks and then first, second or third is not even a consideration anymore. Pray it is daylight, for you’ll be better served by the winds and have a better chance of completing the final segment in less of a way less frustrating manner. It is only 11nm from the finish line, but it is a cruel journey on so many occasions.
For the ultimate prize, of course the other first is that you need to have a well-prepared boat. The other second is that you must win your division and then the other third is that Hughie, the God of Wind, will have the final say and determine which sector of the fleet will be given the nod for the chance at glory – The Tattersall’s Cup.
In first place on IRC and ORCi handicap for the bulk of yesterday and todayhas been Roger ‘Hicko’ Hickman and the 28-year-old Farr 43, Wild Rose. She was originally designed under the ‘ancient’ IOR rule for a certain Bob Oatley to contend the 1987 Admiral’s Cup. Later, she was purchased by Bruce Foye, Roger Hickman and Lance Peckman. They achieved some great results under their ownership, including winning the 1993 race to Hobart - the last time the race was run under the for IOR rule (Yes, there was also an IMS overall winner, which was Cuckoos Nest). Wild Rose and her crew are omnipresent features on many a sailing scoreboard up and down Australia’s East coast.
So Wild Rose is the original, Wild Oats, and technically, she should be excused from further active duty on the podium. Her modern brethren are faster, but under the IRC Measurement Rule, she has virtually been getting better and better results. Sometimes referred to as the Tasmanian Devil, Hicko and the experienced crew have multiple offshore race wins in the last couple of years alone.
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Since Hickman took singular ownership, she has been known as Wild Rose. 'Hicko' won the 2011 Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Race overall and the Gosford Lord Howe Island race. Right up until the last gasp, Wild Rose looked likely to win the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart, but in a cruel twist of fate, the breeze died and changed. If consolation means anything, there was a seventh place overall, a Division Four win and victory in ORCi, Division Three. Can you win two?
Can you do it with same boat, 21 years later is probably a better question?! He loves his sailing, so if it happens, he is more than a deserved winning skipper in this his 37th race south.
All right. So one of the other ‘original’ owners of the boat now known as Wild Rose was Bruce Foye. He has a Sydney 38, The Goat and they are still in the mix for a result in the chase for the Tattersall’s Cup. Earlier on today, he commented, 'We’ve just picked up a bit of breeze from the Sou'west (200°) and have competition in sight. Roger Hickman is inshore of us and we await this afternoon’s Nor’easter. We’re 3-4nm offshore and used our code zero this morning, which made up a bit of ground. We had issues with the #4 jumping out of track overnight, so had to use #5 and had to go to deeper, so lost a lot of ground with that. We’re in a good position for Nor’easter when comes this afternoon. Crew all fine and in high spirits, looking forward to launching in the strong NE this afternoon. We’ll get our time on Hicko then. The Beneteau First 40s are nearby, too.'
The maths currently says eighth place for The Goat, but a couple of nautical miles difference is all it takes to leap frog into first. One of those 40s is Ariel, who as this is written are in second place. Her Skipper, Ron Forster, said earlier today, 'An uncomfortable night, but even worse today we were stuck in a hole off Montague Island. We’re in a close tussle with Wild Rose, whom we can see.' Alas, they’re a couple of miles ahead of them now, so well done to them.
Even the meteorological demi-God, Roger ‘Clouds’ Badham expects the 40s to be the ones to come home in something from the North. It is strong and will deliver them to the fabled Storm Bay and Rover Derwent pair in the favourable afternoon time slot. Theirs will be Sunday AEDT. Alas, for anyone later, it is a strong Southerly front for you. Sorry. True. It can all change, but it might be prudent to first, ensure the hatches are closed, two, make sure the gear is stowed correctly and three, get a water into you, out of you and a sleep. You could need it.
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