Sydney Hobart – Sad. No Surprise.
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS 26 Dec 2021 19:14 AEDT
R/P69 (Originally an STP65) Moneypenny -SOLAS Big Boat Challenge © Crosbie Lorimer
You might think that was a member of the Balmy Army talking about Day One of the Boxing Day Test. Alas, it is not. The retirements have started, as you would expect, and the kinds of damage are also not outside of the realm of expectation. Naturally, it is all very, very sad for the crews, but mercifully, thus far it seems it is just boats, not crew that have taken the beating.
Sean Langman’s lengthened STP65 mini maxi, Moneypenny, has gone with a broken forestay. Blink, the Beneteau First 40 has torn her mainsail, which is a harsh entrée into ocean racing for her crew, just about all of them keen to rack up a Maiden Hobart result. Most recently, it was the Sydney 40 Mako that has been forced to retire, and then just after the radio shed it was URM's turn to make the call.
Stay safe, thanks for tuning into Sail-World.com, and all the best for 2022.