Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

Sydney 38s set to showcase crew skills in 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart

by Rupert Guinness, RSHYR Media 24 Dec 2019 15:12 PST
Goat racing south in the 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart © Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi

Stuart Johnson believes that racing the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in one design boats like his own Sydney 38, Audacious, highlights a crew's pure sailing capability over that of the boat.

Johnson, who is representing the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron (RSAYS), says that one design class racing is a level playing field: "It's not about the boat, it's about the sailing."

A founding member of the South Australian Dinghy Association, Johnson has followed the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia organised Sydney Hobart, since 1971. But this year's 75th running of the race has added significance with it falling on the RSAYS's Sesquicentenary (150th).

"The Club is very proud of its Sydney Hobart history that commenced in 1948 with Colin Hazelgrove's Nerida (15th) going on to win the race in 1950. Two years later, Jim Taylor's Ingrid took first place," he said. "Since then, many RSAYS boats have competed in the race. In recent times, both Aikin Hames Sharley and Enchantress finished on the podium in their divisions."

Audacious is one of seven Sydney 38s entered in this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart that will start at 1pm on Boxing Day - Thursday - with the fleet of 157 boats lining up.

Matt Fahey, the owner/skipper of the Victorian Sydney 38, Faster Forward, has followed the Sydney Hobart since his childhood days when he was brought up in Sydney.

"From the age of 10, my primary ambition was to compete in the race," said Fahey. "Growing up in Camden, away from the water, rugby league and union were my primary sporting focus. My first opportunity to sail was in 2006 (at age 36), after I moved to Melbourne."

Fahey has embraced ocean racing ever since, having competed in many of the biggest races in Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland. They include five Rolex Sydney Hobarts - in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014; and three Rolex Fastnet Races - in 2015, 2017 and this year.

"I'm excited to bring my own boat and team to the 75th Sydney to Hobart race," Fahey said.

CYCA Sydney 38 entry, Goat, has sailed in the 628-nautical-mile course six times; the 75th race is her first return to the race since 2014 when she finished 10th overall.

Goat, which placed 24th in the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart, also won the 2011 Sydney 38 Nationals, the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart one design division and the 2008 Sydney Gold Coast race.

Skipper, Tony Clift, a co-owner of Goat with Mitchell Gordon and Daniel Hawkins, relishes the tight racing among 38s. "There's always good competition between us," he said.

Asked about the current forecast of north to north-easterly at the start, with a southerly to follow, Clift said crew will leave the responsibility of studying it to their navigator Jamie Neill.

"If everyone has a look at the weather, you start to second guess what is going on," said Clift. "It's better to let the navigator work out what's ahead, and then once we get on the course, he'll come up with all the information and we will sit down and discuss it."

The other four Sydney 38s lining up for the start on Boxing Day are: Admiral (Steve Piper); Cinquante (Kim Jaggar); Mille Sabords (Robert Frayne); and TSA Management (Tony Levett) - all are from NSW.

Related Articles

80th Rolex Sydney Hobart entries to open soon
Promising to be a spectacular edition of the race The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is thrilled to announce that entries for the milestone 80th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will open in the coming weeks. Posted on 14 Feb
RSHYR 2024 | 50 feet and below start videos
Start videos from the third and fourth lines Start videos from the third and fourth lines Posted on 8 Jan
RSHYR 2024 | Maxi and mini maxi start videos
Start videos from up in the chopper on Boxing Day, where the airspace is as busy as the Harbour Start videos from up in the chopper on Boxing Day for the annual Sydney Hobart race, where the airspace can get nearly as congested as Sydney Harbour itself... Posted on 7 Jan
RSHYR 2024 | final update from Hobart
Final update plus more from Smuggler about the 2024 Sydney Hobart race Final update plus more from Smuggler about the 2024 Sydney Hobart race Posted on 31 Dec 2024
2024 Sydney Hobart – Forever Hobart
This tree stump sits at the shore of a dam, and as I pass it, I am reminded of the annual event My very own Organ Pipes. This tree stump sits at the shore of a dam, and as I pass it often several times a day, I am reminded of the annual event and what it means to so many, all around the world. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
RSHYR 2024 | All-female Double-Hander finishes
Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders Mother and daughter team, Annette Hesselmans and Sophie Snijders talk about the race and the Melbourne to Osaka race in 2025 Posted on 30 Dec 2024
RSHYR 2024 | Update from Hobart - Dec 30 Part III
Bow Caddy Media bring you all the latest news from the dock in Hobart Crosbie Lorimer brings you the latest news from the dock in Hobart, and Bow Caddy Media interview Sirene's owner, Bill Henson. Posted on 30 Dec 2024
RSHYR 2024 | Update from Hobart - Dec 30 #2
Bow Caddy Media remain busy on the quay talking to as many people as they can get to Bow Caddy Media remain busy on the quay talkign to as many people as they can get to from right around the fleet Posted on 30 Dec 2024
2024 RSHYR: Mistral first double handed finisher
Rupert Henry and Corentin Douguet crossed the finish line at 07.16.04 this morning Rupert Henry and his French co-skipper, Corentin Douguet, sailed Henry's Lombard 34, Mistral (NSW), across the Rolex Sydney Hobart finish line at 07.16.04 this morning, the first double-handed entry to finish. Posted on 30 Dec 2024
RSHYR 2024 | Update from Hobart - Dec 30
Rupert Henry & Corentin Douguet - Mistral first Double-Hander over the line plus much, much more Rupert Henry and Corentin Douguet - Mistral first Double-Hander over the line plus Ed Psaltis and Bruce Taylor interview, as well as Love and War, and the Syney 38, Clockwork - Happy viewing! Posted on 30 Dec 2024
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERJ Composites J/45North Sails Loft 57 Podcast