The News Review:
- Age no barrier as Hobart beckons for veteran skipper
- History of Rolex Sydney Hobart 1945 – 2006
- Wild ats after 3rd straight win in Sydney to Hobart race
- Seals being let off the hook
Age no barrier as Hobart beckons for veteran skipper
The Age – Dec 25, 2007
This year marks the centenary of Australia’s oldest ocean raceand the field has tripled last year’s entries with a fleet of 82the same number of entries as the flashier and cashier Sydney toHobart. The centenary will be marked with a twist — both theMelbourne to Launceston fleet and the Melbourne to Hobart yachtswill race the same route together allowing the Hobart-bound to viefor both titles for the first time. The Hobart field has traditionally sailed the west coast ofTasmania to Hobart but this year it will cross the finish in theTamar River in Launceston and then 55 yachts will continue toHobart down the east coast following Abel Tasman’s route ofdiscovery in reverse. cean Racing Club of Victoria spokeswoman Jennifer McGuigan saidthe event’s sailors came from all walks of life with a commonpassion for ocean yachting. Most spent all year preparing theirboats for this week’s events. cean sailing rookies in this year’s fleet include a team ofeight plumbers from Tasmania contesting their first race. Melbourne’s nautically inclined will be treated to two big daysof sailing in the bay.
History of Rolex Sydney Hobart 1945 – 2006
Sail World – Dec 25, 2007
f the fleet 308 yachts finished and were packed gunwale to gunwale in Hobart?s historic Constitution Dock and Sullivan?s Cove. The 628 nautical mile course starts from Sydney Harbour a natural amphitheatre for spectators on the headlands and takes the fleet down the East Coast of Australia across the eastern edge of Bass Strait which divides the island State of Tasmania from the Australian mainland. Then it?s then down the Tasmanian East Coast where after rounding the towering perpendicular rock of Tasman Island the fleet sails the final 30 nautical miles across Storm Bay and then 11 miles up the Derwent River to the finish off historic Battery Point in Hobart Australia?s second oldest city. The ‘Hobart’ is unique because it is one of the most challenging ocean races in the world with uncertain weather that can range from a rollicking spinnaker run down the NSW South Coast before a 15-20 knot nor?easter to a howling southwesterly front bringing winds of up to 50-60 knots sometimes more and massive boat and body-breaking seas. Bass Strait is notorious for its short steep seas due to its relative shallow depth and strong currents and the regular fronts bringing gales from the south and south-west. There has never been a Sydney to Hobart without a significant change in the wind direction and strength and there have been some turbulent years that have battered boats and bodies into submission.
Wild ats after 3rd straight win in Sydney to Hobart race
International Herald Tribune – Dec 25, 2007
New British maxi City Index Leopard could be a challenger especially in strong headwinds while Victorian state super maxi Skandia the 2003 line honors winner should also be up near the head of the fleet. American entry Rosebud emerged as a likely contender after taking handicap honors in both the Big Boat Challenge and Rolex Trophy series two of the major leadup events. The international contingent also includes five other yachts from Britain plus Mexico's first Hobart race entry Iataia which spent the past six months crossing the Pacific cean to make the start. The 40-foot Iataia has a crew of nine Mexicans.
Seals being let off the hook
abc.net.au – Dec 25, 2007
The State Government is phasing out its program of relocating the seals which are protected in Tasmanian waters. The Primary Industries Department has operated the relocation program for several years charging fish-farms a fee to relocate seals that become stuck. From February the industry will be required to run its own service. The head of wildlife management with the department Gary Davies says seal relocation is only an interim measure as new methods of managing seals are developed and tested. Mr Davies says other strategies include deterrents to modify seal behaviour and toughening up the salmon enclosures.