2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Erin Molan joins Perpetual Loyal

by Anna Wallin on 11 Nov 2015 Channel Nine Sports presenter and NRL Footy Show Host Erin Molan will take on her greatest challenge to date joining the crew of Anthony Bell’s Perpetual Loyal for the 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart.

The passionate Raiders fan, hails from Canberra, where Lake Burley Griffin is as close to the Bass Straight as you can get. She will travel just about anywhere to watch or be part of a good sporting contest and says the challenge of the Rolex Sydney Hobart was an opportunity she could not refuse to take up.

“I was born in Canberra and still call the land-locked city home, so sailing on Perpetual Loyal in what is described as the most grueling long ocean race in the world is a complete test for me, if I’m being entirely honest, I am completely and utterly terrified… but just a little bit more excited” Molan said.

“I am pretty competitive though and I’d like to think I will give anything a go. I have spent the past six months contemplating whether or not to do this… I am scared of waves and I get sea sick in the bath… so it wasn’t an easy decision! Now that it’s made I’m determined to do the best possible job I can… I want to earn the respect of this crew – they are some of the most impressive people I have met!”

“I’ve grown up playing sport… I was a gymnast for ten years and loved a good game of Netball and Volleyball… but anyone who has seen me on the Footy Show over the past few years will know I’m not exactly an athlete… not even close… but I’ve been told it’s all mental – so hopefully I can hack it!”

“Anyone who knows me understands my passion for supporting Charities whenever I can… the opportunity to do this – and do it for a good cause – was just too good to turn down – plus my Dad probably wouldn’t have forgiven me for being a ‘wuss’…”

Molan a sports reporter and presenter for the Nine Network appears weekly on The Footy Show and The Sunday Footy Show, and also reports and presents for Nine News.

Her focus in journalism has always been on sport and she has done this for over ten years as a television, radio and print reporter.

“We took Erin for her first sail a few weeks ago to see how she would fair, and the crew gave her the green light,” Perpetual Loyal Skipper Anthony Bell said.

“In fact they were more than impressed especially with her enthusiasm, helping with the pack-away and scrub down of the boat.

“We are delighted she will be joining us for this campaign, “Bell said.

Bell Partners established the Loyal Foundation in 2009 and since inception the Loyal Foundation has raised more than four million dollars through fundraising events.

The Foundation has been honored to work with high profile Australians such as Phil Kearns, Phil Waugh, Anthony Minichiello, Danny Green, Sally Fitzgibbons, Layne Beachley, Jessica Watson, Kurt Fearnley, Tom Slingsby, Jude Bolton, Geoff Huegill, Larry Emdur, Karl Stefanovic and many others who have competed on board the super maxi.