Townsville teenager gets ready for the biggest support role of his life

A Townsville teenager will be battling the forces of nature while playing a vital role in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

A TOWNSVILLE teenager will be battling the forces of nature while playing a vital role in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

JCU law student Matthew Gatehouse is one of 20 Australians who have been invited to be a ‘youthie crew’ aboard the Australian Navy ship STS Young Endeavour in the race.

The 44 metre brigantine will play a critical support role during the race, acting as the radio relay ship to monitor any incidents or mayday calls.

Townsville's Mathew Gatehouse, 19, has been selected as a member of the Young Endeavour's 'Youthie Crew' and will be part of the Radio Relay Vessel in the Sydney to Hobart Race.

Mr Gatehouse was a cadet in the Australia Navy for four years and said he was looking forward to testing his limits aboard the Navy sailing ship.

“It is an unknown adventure for me because the Bass Strait is an unpredictable area of water and the weather they get down there is nothing we get up here,” he said.

“It is one of those things that is going to be a wild experience for all on board because we are going to be facing the grunt of a lot of elements on the water.”

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The 630 nautical mile race departs Sydney on Boxing Day and is considered to be one of the most difficult courses in the world.

The crew will work 12 hour shifts during the day and three hour shifts at night over the six day race and will man radio and radar equipment.

Mr Gatehouse only found out that he had been selected as a crew member two weeks ago and has been busy buying warm clothes and securing accommodation in Sydney.

The ex-Iggy Park old boy leaves for Sydney on Christmas Eve and said the forecast for the race was not picture perfect but it was all part of the experience.

“We are facing limited visibility as we depart Sydney so we are not sure how the smoke and haze will go,” he said.

“Then there are reports coming out of Tasmania that there is snow and hail.”

Originally published as Townsville teenager gets ready for the biggest support role of his life