Sydney Hobart feature -OFFSHORE YACHTING

by Alexander Gilly on 7 Dec 2007
The bumper December/January issue of OFFSHORE YACHTING, the Official Program of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2007, has something for offshore and armchair sailors alike.

For the offshore sailor, it’s the perfect read to curl up with between watches. There’s a comprehensive listing of every entry in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2007, including sail numbers, LOA and crew details, so you can find out who that is trailing in your wake.

Rob Mundle has the latest on Wild Oats XI, while Peter Campbell takes a look at which (other) boats you ought to keep an eye on. We also interview Mike Slade, owner and skipper of predatory newcomer Cityindex Leopard (formerly ICAP Leopard).

In an exclusive to OFFSHORE YACHTING, two of the race’s most successful navigators, Adrienne Cahalan and Lindsay May, give the insider’s scoop on how to steer a winning course from Sydney to Hobart, and what pitfalls to watch out for along the way. And meteorologist Kenn Batt, from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, explains the details of what the weather’s like off Tasmania’s east coast.

For armchair sailors with a bit more time on their hands, we look back at the history of this great race. We list every winner since the race was first run in 1945 and take a look at the race’s remarkable record-holders (did you know that only six men have sailed 40 or more Rolex Sydney Hobart races?) We also pay our respects to Peter Montague Luke, who raced in the 1945 Sydney Hobart and who co-founded the CYCA.

Wait, there’s more! We look at what to do in Tasmania once you’re off the boat; we interview shipwright turned maritime sculptor John Woulfe; and we take a look at the other regattas that have taken place over the last two months, as well as preview those to come.

So whether you’re somewhere very damp between Victoria and Tassie, or lying on the sofa in the sun eating Christmas leftovers, you’re bound to find the latest issue of OFFSHORE YACHTING a fascinating read.