Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Niksen sets course for the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart

by Windcraft Yachts 20 Nov 2023 17:08 PST 26 December 2023
Niksen en route for 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart © Harri Wren - Doyle Sails

Even before the crew of Niksen hoist their sails on Boxing Day, they will have already overcome one of the biggest challenges in offshore sailing.

Co-skippers Marc Michel and Logan Fraser are bringing their pocket-rocket Dehler 30od (one design) all the way from Auckland, sailing 1,250 nautical miles across the notoriously rough Tasman Sea that has a well-deserved reputation for testing boats and crews to their limits.

At just 9.14 metres or 30 feet Niksen is one of the smallest yachts in this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet of 120 boats. Marc Michel, a former pro sailor with experience in big races all over the world has no illusions about the potential hazards of crossing the "Ditch" as its sometimes referred to.

"It's much more unpredictable and generally tougher [than an Atlantic crossing]", he admits. Niksen's crew dropped the docklines on Sunday 19th November and at this stage the routing says seven days to Sydney Heads with some favourable southerlies, "but it's the Tasman so there's a fair amount of local variation in that," Michel noted wryly just before they left.

The forecast is showing southerlies gusting to over 20 knots as Niksen rounds the top of the North Island of New Zealand which means fast beam reaching, a point of sail Niksen with its powerful sail plan for its size, excels in.

"The boat just lights-up," Michel reveals. "Our rig is probably a metre further back [in the hull] compared to the older 30-footers so when that's combined with the Dehler's form stability, the chine and water ballast it's a big thrill ride. On the last leg of the Round North Island Race we averaged 15 knots for 6 hours, and at times hitting 20 knots as we surfed down waves," he recounts.

Once safely in Sydney Marc and Logan intend to prepare Niksen for the 172 nautical mile Cabbage Tree Island Race on December 1, their first hit-out against some of their competition in the Hobart's Two-Handed Division which has attracted 21 entrants all eager to be the first double-handed boat to win the famous 628 nautical mile ocean classic on handicap.

While Niksen and her co-skippers have established a formidable reputation in New Zealand short-handed racing circles with a string of podium places, Michel acknowledges the Rolex Sydney Hobart represents their toughest racing challenge so far.

"There are two objectives," he states. "First it will be the best looking 30-footer on the Harbour on Boxing Day and second it will be the fastest 30 footer irrespective of rating."

The award-winning Dehler 30od's lines are courtesy of well-known designers Judel/Vrolijk, who have given the 30od a reverse profile bow and heavily chamfered topsides/gunwale that reduce windage and panel weight. She looks like a smaller version of the Fast 40 Ran or one of the later Hugo Boss IMOCA 60s. Weighing just 2,800 kilograms the boat effectively handles like a big skiff, responsive to every tweak and burb.

Niksen also boasts a couple of extra arrows in its offshore armoury, usually only found on big custom racing machines.

The first is water ballast, meaning the boat can carry an extra 200kg on the high side, equivalent to three 67kg crew which translates into another half-a-knot of boat speed; a big deal over 628 nautical miles.

The other is the so-called 'Stealth Drive'. The shaft and prop are on a retractable strut, easily operated by a lever in the cockpit. When lowered, the three-blade prop pushes the boat along at over six knots. When retracted, the strut is hermetically sealed behind a cover. Dehler have managed to do it on a 30-footer, the drag saving equivalent to an estimated 7-8 seconds a mile.

Downstairs on the Dehler 30od Marc and Logan are surprisingly comfortable. There are two generous quarter-berths aft with padding up the sides. A one-burner cooker pumps out the coffee and noodles, while next to the galley is a secure, moulded locker for cold storage. Bunk cushions are strapped up out of the way, and a wooden table folds out. One of Marc's short-handed criteria, he says, is "a boat that looks after its crew."

Of course, the weather will play a big part in deciding the eventual winner of the Two-Handed Division and the Rolex Sydney Hobart itself. Last year the fleet experienced what was described as "a traditional Hobart" with big winds and seas in Bass Strait on the night of the 27th and a stiff southerly for the two-handed entries trying to get to the finish in Hobart.

With its ability to keep pace with much larger boats in the right conditions and her crew hardened during long miles in tough Kiwi waters Niksen could surprise the dockside pundits. Either way it's shaping-up to be a memorable international racing debut for this Kiwi speedster.

Related Articles

Crew dynamics will be decisive in Course des Caps
Just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season With just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season, all eyes are on Boulogne-Sur-Mer as 11 crews prepare to race around the British Isles in the Course des Caps-Boulogne sur Mer-Banque Populaire du Nord. Posted today at 7:02 pm
2025 Marion to Bermuda Race concludes
Celebrating the remarkable seamanship and sportsmanship of every team After days of strategic sailing, shifting winds, and open-ocean challenges, the results are in—and we're proud to celebrate the remarkable seamanship and sportsmanship of every team that took part. Posted today at 6:49 pm
29th Superyacht Cup Palma day 2
Linnea Aurora turns the tables as it gets tight at the top A bigger and better breeze welcomed the racing fleet on the second day of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2025, resulting in full-tilt sailing around the 23nm five-leg racecourse. Posted today at 6:16 pm
CYCS 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta preview
Bringing together some of the most beautiful yachts on the water The Classic Yacht Owners Association's annual Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) kicks off a summer of stunning northeastern sailing with the 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta this weekend. Posted today at 5:39 pm
Kieler Woche Day 8
Mourniac & Retornaz take the lead in the Nacra 17 class A dream day ahead of the second weekend at the Kieler Woche regatta off Schilksee: Moderate to fresh westerly winds with strong gusts, alternating sun and clouds, provided ideal sailing conditions for all participants on Friday. Posted today at 5:18 pm
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Day 2
Spanish team Yupi top the leaderboard Friday was the second day of racing in Torbole for the inaugural J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship. Although the "Ora" breeze was lighter than yesterday, it didn't disappoint; it blew steadily enough to deliver three fair, fun and hard-fought races. Posted today at 4:58 pm
SailGP: Roger Federer inspires Swiss SailGP team.
Roger Federer joins forces with Switzerland SailGP Team to inspire success One of Switzerland's greatest sporting icons, Roger Federer, features in the newest episode of Racing on the Edge, SailGP's official behind-the-scenes docuseries, produced in partnership with Rolex. Posted today at 4:26 pm
44Cup Marstrand 2025 day 3
Gale force winds batter the west coast of Sweden With gale force winds battering the west coast of Sweden, racing had to be cancelled on day three of the 44Cup Marstrand. Posted today at 1:33 pm
Francesca Clapcich to co-skipper Team Malizia
In the Course des Caps round Britain & Ireland Race Italian/American offshore sailor Francesca Clapcich will join Malizia-Seaexplorer as co-skipper for the inaugural edition of the Course des Caps-Boulogne sur Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord. Posted today at 12:56 pm
Team Be Water Positive The Ocean Race Europe crew
Scott Shawyer will skipper Team Be Water Positive in the fully crewed offshore challenge this summer Canada Ocean Racing - Team Be Water Positive today announces its 2025 The Ocean Race Europe crew led by Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer and featuring five other accomplished names in offshore sailing. Posted today at 11:54 am
Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMPalm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo S Series