Boxing Day Test and the Rolex Sydney Hobart

by Paul O'Connell on 20 Nov 2006 What are the similarities between the Boxing Day Test and the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race? Historically they both took at least six days to complete. During this extended period competitors, spectators and sponsors obtained great exposure. Today the Sydney Hobart more often resembles the hectic pace of a day night cricket match.

As yachts get larger and more complex their crews have been reduced to the size of one cricket team where a few years ago smaller yachts were crewed by at lease two cricket teams. With this increase in size also comes an increase in speed which shortens the duration of the race, in the eyes of the general public.

The race has become iconic in Australia and renown around the world because of its challenging nature. No one can dispute that man still competes against nature, the images of the keelless Skandia adrift a few years ago are a testimony to the challenges faced by all offshore racers. The opportunity to get into trouble must, in some way, be reduced by reducing the time that the larger yachts spend at sea. The tail enders often take three times longer than the maxis to reach Hobart and therefore have more opportunities to face and experience the wonders and challenges of the sea and the changing nature of the weather over a week.

What is disappointing is that while the main stream media covers the Boxing Day Test from the toss until the last ball is bowled, interest in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race appears to diminish once the front runners are home. This would be similar to covering the first innings only of the test and forgetting all that follows, except for a final comment announcing the winner.

There are many older and smaller yachts entered into the Sydney Hobart who are out there for five of six days, Katinka expects to be one of them. Katinka is Cole 35 launched in 1980 and prepared for this race by Paul and Ellen O’Connell of Sydney. In 2003 Paul received the wooden spoon racing his father Des’s Currowong 30, also named Katinka. This year with a larger Yacht he aims to leave that honour to another. During this years Race the six crew members aboard Katinka will face many challenges and adventures which they would love to share with a wider audience.

Katinka is looking to become associated with a corporate sponsor who will raise the yachts profile in the race at the same time using their association with the Rolex Sydney Hobart as a positive addition to their media presence. An association with one of the smallest and oldest yachts in the fleet facing all the challenges the sea has to offer over an extended period of time is surely worthy of mention.

For more information on Katinka visit their website at www.katinka.com.au . If the idea of sponsoring Katinka appeals to you please contact Paul paul@katinka.com.au.