Sailor Katherine Shannon ready to race first Sydney to Hobart on Sweet Chariot

Why this former dinghy sailor has decided to test herself in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race despite being unsure if she will like it or not.

Katherine Shannon is preparing to contest her first Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

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Katherine Shannon is in good company as a first timer in the Sydney to Hobart this year - the yacht she is sailing on is also doing its first race south.

The 48-footer Sweet Chariot is aptly named and is one of the more comfortable yachts in the fleet setting sail for. Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day in the 75th edition of the race.

But unlike Shannon, Sweet Chariot has thousands of sea miles to her name with owner David and Jill Henry from Birchgrove having sailed the yacht on a 38,000 nautical mile circumnavigation over the years.

Katherine Shannon on the bow of Sweet Chariot at Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

Katherine Shannon with crewmates on Sweet Chariot. Pic: Mark Scott.

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Not so Shannon, who has never even done an overnight yacht race before.

“I though if I don’t like it at least it’s comfortable,” she laughed.

But the former single-handed Laser sailor who was part of the Australian Sailing Squad as a 470 dinghy sailor said she is looking forward to the challenge of contesting the famous Bluewater classic for the first time.

“I though I’d like to have a go and there is a lot of experience on the boat,” said Shannon, from Woolwich, and a member at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron at Kirribilli.

“I want the challenge of it.

“I just wanted a new experience sailing for four days, maybe, and being able to testing your limits.’’

Jill Henry and her husband David have circumnavigated the globe in their boat 'Sweet Chariot' . Picture: Craig Wilson

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Shannon has done a number of lead-up races on the yacht and also the Sea Safety Survival course.

This course was introduced in the wake of the fatal 1998 race and involved practical exercises and essential survival information.

The Sydney to Hobart stars on Sydney Harbour at 1pm on Boxing Day.

A fleet in excess of 150 yachts will be on four separate start lines.

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