Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - The Start

Reminiscent of a bunch of cats eager to be fed, the yachts stooged around jockeying for position and for wind. And I guess simply for room to move. The day was grey and mizzley but that did not seem to lessen the enthusiasm of the crowds on each and every headland.


Taking their life in their hands, smaller craft took it to the big fellers for their time in the spotlight, basking in the reflected glory of a Sydney-Hobart start. The SMH has some spectacular overhead shots, especially 3/18 and 17/18. The final shot below, shows the puff of smoke from the canon as the starter warns there is 5 minutes to start. Drivers start your engines ...

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - Sailors

Barrows hustled, managers bustled. Tension and anticipation oozed. Weathered profiles contemplated the conditions, the course, the tactics, the contenders.


Gnarled hands of experienced salts gesticulated expansively, as younger members nonchalantly osmosised the ambience. Tactics were determined beyond the maddening crowd. Would the million-dollar mast do the trick? Did they stow sufficient King Island Ash Blue? Would the winds in Storm Bay sweep them up the Derwent or strand them in no-mans-land?


The 2009 Sydney - Hobart Yacht Race line honours winner, Alfa Romeo fom NZ, crossed the finish line into Constitution Dock in Hobart at 10:02pm Monday after being the first out the Sydney Heads on Saturday and leading all the way.

Tomorrow: the starter's canon ...

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - Preparations

The overcast conditions, the wind and the scudding rain, sent the sail hands and captains alike on a wild goose chase to batten down the hatches. Three hours remained until that puff of grey smoke signalled the start of the 2009 Blue Water Classic from the line stretched out from Neilsen Park across to Chowder Bay and ending sometime Tuesday at Constitution Dock in Hobart.


The early morning crowd milled and shuffled through the fine mist, exchanging words of wisdom on conditions and tactics. The Cruising Yacht Club at Rushcutters Bay once again hosted its morning of mornings.

Nicky loves Rory