Brisbane to Gladstone - 62 years of family history sails on

by Ian Grant on 24 Mar 2010 Deagon yachtsman Peter Holm will stow a special bottle of rum aboard his ketch Marriah when she contests the 62nd Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race over the Easter weekend.

Skipper Holm left with the legacy from his late father Ivan ‘Skipper’ Holm to carry the family ‘battle flag’ into an unbroken run of 62 consecutive races will reach a personal career milestone with his 41st race. Starting at 11 am on Good Friday.

The late Ivan Holm set sail in the inaugural race in 1949 and continued to pack his sea bag setting an unparalleled world record of 43 races at the helm of the magnificent ketch Laurabada before spending his first Easter at home.
Peter Holm reflecting on his father’s achievements remains passionate about having the honour to carry on with the family tradition and will call his crew on deck to have a ‘tot of rum’ in honour of the late skipper when Marriah weathers Lady Musgrave lagoon.

'It was Dad's wish to have his ashes cast over the lagoon and we will again honour him with a special toast as we sail past' Peter Holm said.

Marriah because of her design age and rig is not fast but she is raced by a very capable crew including Peter’s wife Kris and 32 year race veteran Graham Smith.

Remarkably Kris who sailed her first Gladstone race 12 years ago prefers to crew on the wet foredeck standing shoulder to shoulder with her male crew mates with hoisting and gybing the spinnakers.

'I enjoy the challenge and the excitement' she said.

Kris Holm proudly stands her place on deck and is well prepared to continue with the proud Holm family tradition when Marriah sets sail for class honours in what promises to be another interesting race over the physically tormenting 308 nautical mile course.

Marriah will be in serious racing mode racing against an impressive fleet of 49 rivals including the line honours favourite Black Jack while her crew remain focused on sharing some special moments as they retain this remarkable Australian family ocean racing achievement.