2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: Breaking things is part of preparation for Fleury
by Steve Dettre/RSHYR media 22 Dec 2024 22:55 PST
26 December 2024
Cocody sailing downwind offshore © Cocody
Damien Fleury is not particularly worried about pushing French boat Cocody to its limits during the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
"We've already done that during training, during other races," he said just days out from the big race.
"We've done many hard training (days) in France, like going out in 50 knots of wind just to see if the boat can perform under those conditions," he said, looking out over the marina at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, at Rushcutters Bay.
"And sometimes, of course, you break things, and that's the deal. We always prefer to break things during training."
He said the most difficult part of sailing boats was the mechanical and technical components.
"Things like the engine, water maker, generator, things like that - because we know how to sail, but it's those other things that create issues," he said.
Fleury said the 17,000 nautical mile journey from France to Sydney had been a 'delivery' trip. "We kept the crew to a minimum, we stopped many times enroute, because the aim was just to get the boat here... we weren't pushing ourselves," he said.
The crew was complimented by a couple of "hitchhikers" as he calls them, who helped out on the way.
"They weren't experienced sailors, but they could help with cooking, night watch and physical work when needed," he said.
Post race, Fleury said there was an option of selling the boat rather than transporting it back to France.
"Because after you work with a boat, you want to go to a bigger boat, a faster boat, because we're getting better and better," he said.
And if they can't sell it, that's not a drama.
"Because there are many races in Europe. There is always something to do, so for sure, will not be unhappy to continue to sail the boat for a long time."