Just one yacht from SA will compete in the Sydney to Hobart this year

The sailors on SA’s sole Sydney to Hobart entry this year says they’ve had a dream run into the great race.

A group of Adelaide sailors will compete in this year’s Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as the only boat from South Australia in the bluewater classic.

Like the name of their boat Clockwork, the crew has been vigorously preparing to make their mark on the race, with a series of regattas already under their belt.

Mary Ann Harvey says the team, who are members of the Cruising Yacht Club of SA (CYCSA), has been racing since she and a friend purchased the 22-year-old vessel in August last year.

Mary-Ann Harvey and the Clockwork team during sailing preparation for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023.

“The training has been mostly just racing through the year doing the inshore races and a few offshore races which are overnight races,” she said.

“That’s really important because you’ve gotta learn about sleeping, going down to rest and harnessing on at night to make sure you can learn to manage yourself through long stretches.

“We’re actually doing quite well, we just cleaned up in the Premier’s Cup Regatta and we managed to dodge those two horrific weeks of weather in Adelaide so we had a lovely run all the way around the coast.”

Having already participated in the race a few years ago on a boat called Audacious, Ms Harvey says it can test sailors on their skills, stamina and ability to work under pressure.

The Clockwork crew out in front during a South Australian regatta this year.

“I think it can be pretty full on. I was lucky the year I did it because it was a bit of a downwind run, so it was a bit breezy going across Bass Strait,” she said.

“We’re ready for it and the boat is in good shape. We’ve got some fantastic helms aboard who have quite a broad range of skills.

“Lots of people can do lots of different things on the boat and we have a really solid team.

“We’re not planning on winning it but we just want to get there safely.”

This year’s race is not just for the experience and thrill of sailing across the Bass Strait.

Mary-Ann Harvey steers clockwork as the team prepares for the big race from Sydney to Hobart. Supplied.

Clockwork’s crew members have dedicated their efforts to raise money for the charity, Orange Sky, which provides a mobile laundry service for homeless people and remote communities across Australia.

Following the race, the yacht will return to Adelaide before a series of regattas planned throughout next year, aiming to raise around $50,000.

“The Sydney to Hobart is just a part of what we’re doing over the next year,” Ms Harvey said.

“After that, we’ve got a big program for the next year and along the way we’re going to keep promoting Orange Sky and bring people on the journey with us.”

A total of 103 boats will compete in this year’s Sydney to Hobart which starts on Boxing Day in Sydney Harbour.