Sydney to Hobart yacht race: Female navigators Adrienne Cahalan, Alice Parker rule the seas

Trailblazing navigator Adrienne Cahalan has become used to winning races and setting records but now she is about to share in a bit of Sydney to Hobart history with another woman.

The winning crew on Alive.

The fastest Australian to circumnavigate the globe, trailblazing navigator Adrienne Cahalan has become used to winning races and setting records but now she is about to share in a bit of Sydney to Hobart history with another woman.

Cahalan, sporting a rope burn on her face, and crewmates on the Tasmanian yacht Alive are expected to be confirmed as the overall handicap winners of the Sydney to Hobart on Saturday having beaten the Marcus Ashley-Jones skippered URM and Sean Langman’s Moneypenny for the most coveted honours in the ocean classic - with the majority of the fleet still at sea.

This result will mean that for the first time in history, the first two placegetters in the overall race were navigated by females with Alice Parker calling the weather shots on URM.

“Wouldn’t that be a great statement. Two senior roles on the boats filled by women,’’ said Cahalan, a lawyer, mother-of-two and now three time overall winner, six time line honours winner and two time race record holder in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

“It would be nice to get broader recognition at the front of the fleet but the attitudes are definitely changing,’’ she said.

Adrienne Cahalan on Alive at the end of the race. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Alice Parker aboard URM in the Sydney to Hobart. Picture:CYCA/Salty Dingo

Cahalan, who has raced on Alive on and off since 2016 and prior to this the 100-footer Wild Oats, has rated the 2023 Sydney to Hobart as one of the most challenging she has done in recent times and with perhaps its most memorable first night.

“Every race is so different, you can’t compare,’’ she said.

“But this was a hard one, very rough and physically demanding.

“The first night at sea with the storms was incredible. They sky was just lit up, we were all a little nervous. But we have been to see a lot and we know what warrants evasive action.

“We just had to look for corridors of wind and get through.’’

The yacht alive on her way to victory. Picture: Supplied: CYCA/Salty Dingo

Cahalan said while the number of women in sailing is on the rise, she believes the two-handed division introduced to the Hobart race three years ago and attracting 19 entries in 2023 is the perfect way for women to gain valuable experience across the board.

Adrienne Cahalan and Alice Parker before the race. Picture: Andrea Francolini

This division had numerous women racing this year, including Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham on the retired Currawong and Jiang Lin on Min River who is still battling her way south.

“The two-handers, it’s great experience across the board,’’ Cahalan said.

“With the two-handers you are dropped right in it. You get a broad base of skills to chose to focus on later. It’s a great class.’’

Originally published as Sydney to Hobart yacht race: Female navigators Adrienne Cahalan, Alice Parker rule the seas