Damaged Infinity III with much to do to race to Hobart

by Peter Campbell on 9 Dec 2002 The Sydney yacht Infinity III has much to do to rectify all the damage prior to this month’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, after the 65-footer was severely holed by a Sydney Harbour Jetcat ferry, Sir David Martin, early Friday evening.

The incident happened near the Opera House with at least five people being thrown into the water and two being taken to hospital with injuries, including Jane Smith, the yacht’s mainsheet trimmer, with a broken jaw

The yacht, owned by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Rear Commodore Martin James, suffered a 2 metre hole amidships on the port side and a smaller hole near the stern as the Jetcat rammed into the yacht.

Eye witnesses and passengers on the Jetcat, which had just left Circular Quay on a Harbour run to Manly, said the ferry lost engine power in one engine and swung off course by 90 degreees, colliding with the yacht which was under sail.

Rear Commodore James was not aboard Infinity III which was taking guests on a short cruise after earlier competing in the Sir James Hardy Sunshine Homes charity regatta.

“It is a very big hole amidships, with the Jetcat’s port bow penetrating through to the companionway,” he said today. “There has also been extensive other damage. We are working hard to rectify the damage prior to the race, and still hope to make the start line on 26 December.”

“At this stage, however, the crew and I are far more concerned about the people who have been injured and taken to hospital,” he added.

Infinity III, a Farr 65-footer which as the original Brindabella won line honours in the 1991 Sydney Hobart, was due to sailing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2002 starting on Boxing Day, 26 December.

The yacht last raced to Hobart in 1998 and had almost completed extensive works to prepare for the challenging 630 nautical mile race south.