Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Dreki Sunnan Rolex Sydney Hobart 2018 Interviews - It all starts somewhere…

by Dale and Crosbie Lorimer / Bow Caddy Media 2 Jan 2019 18:57 PST From Dec 26

As Wild Oats XI berthed in Hobart for her ninth Line Honours win her crew had accumulated 289 Sydney Hobarts between them!

But for each of those crew members it all started with their first race and that was an experience that most of the crew on Ken Holmes Beneteau First 45 Dreki Sunnan were enjoying in Bass Strait at that moment.

With barely more than a handful of Hobart Races between some of the more experienced crew and only 18 months of sailing together in the lead up including the Ponant Sydney Noumea Race.

This also turned out to be the ideal year of downwind sailing for Holmes to take his boat south as a first time Hobart skipper.

In these interviews we hear from James Rawlinson and Floyd Higgins (before and after the race) on what its like to be first-time rookies at the front end of the boat.

We also hear from Ken Holmes on how it feels to have chalked up his first Sydney Hobart as an owner and skipper at the back of the bus.

Remember, it is not all about finishing in first place.

84 boats took to the Tasman on Boxing Day, bound for Hobart Town. Four did not get that far, and the back of the fleet dealt with the strongest of conditions, in this, a very benign sort of year.

So if you're thinking about it, especially with the 75th to come up next year, then have a look at these videos -

Crew - Pre-Race

Crew - Post Race

Ken Holmes - Owner/Skipper Post Race

Related Articles

Noakes Sydney GC Yacht Race: Don't stop me now
Corinthian sailor Elizabeth Tucker takes on the world Elizabeth Tucker had barely stepped on board a yacht before 2021. Fast forward four years to 2025 and the English-born, Sydney-based sailor has sailed her Class40 yacht, First Light, from Spain to Australia. Posted on 9 Jul
Meet the CYCA's Admiral's Cup Team
Meet the skippers and sailors, get to know their roles and discover what makes their programs unique Meet the skippers and sailors, get to know their roles and discover what makes their programs unique. Posted on 9 Jul
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Interview with the CYCA Team
A highly experienced team for the revived Admiral's Cup regatta from July 17 The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is fielding a highly experienced team for the revived Admiral's Cup regatta that will be run from Cowes on the Isle of Wight in the UK, from 17th July 2025. Posted on 1 Jul
Introduction to the Admiral's Cup/Fastnet 2025
After a 22 year abscence, the renowned Admiral's Cup is back. After a break of 22 years, the renowned Admiral's Cup is returning to the international yacht racing scene in July 2025. One short ocean race, three days of inshore racing, and then the fabled Fastnet to finish Posted on 29 Jun
CYCA Publishes report reviewing 3 incidents
In the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart and Commits to Implementing Safety Recommendations The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) has published the full independent review report into the three incidents in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which tragically saw two fatalities and a man overboard (MOB) incident. Posted on 13 Jun
Admiral's Cup vs. Rolex Fastnet Interclub Trophy
CYCA is proud to be competing in two prestigious interclub competitions The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is proud to be competing in two prestigious interclub competitions — the revived Admiral's Cup and the Martin Illingworth Trophy — as part of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race. Posted on 12 Jun
New Caledonian duo set sights on RSHYR
Two French sailors based in New Caledonia will take on the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race When Yann Rigal and Michel Quintin began sailing Double Handed in 2020, Rigal had his doubts. "When Michel called me and said, 'Are you in?' I was like, 'Wow, that's crazy but yes, let's go'," Rigal laughed. Posted on 11 Jun
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race gathers steam
Over 50 registrations for the CYCA's event that starts on Saturday 26 July The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race has received over 50 registrations, for the CYCA's event that starts on Saturday 26 July. Posted on 11 Jun
CYCA and RFBYC announce partnership
To host Australia's premier match racing events The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club are pleased to announce a joint partnership between the two Clubs to host Australia's premier match racing events in January each year. Posted on 5 Jun
The call of the mighty
See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action, braving the elements, and glory for the victorious. As an Australian, you have King Louie (the late Lou Abrahams), and the late Sir Jim Hardy as the poster boys. Posted on 1 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsPredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOMSea Sure 2025