Sydney to Hobart news, rookie Tom Grimes’ verdict on his first race, two-handed fleet update

This sailing young gun has been waiting for years to do his first Sydney to Hobart and he’s given his verdict on the challenge - and it’s not what you might think.

Tom Grimes on the dock after picking up a last-minute ride.

There’s a well known story in sailing circles about a debutant being asked what he thought about finally being able to do his first Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

In that trek south, the fleet headed offshore to catch current and was out of sight of land from Bondi Beach on the first day.

“It’s not very scenic,” was the youngster’s simple response.

When former world youth match-racing champion Tom Grimes was asked the same question after arriving in Hobart at the end of his first race, his answer was equally short.

“It was longer than I thought,” he said. “That took me a little by surprise.”

Tom Grimes picked up a last-minute ride.

Ironically, if he had been aboard his original ride south - his father’s boat Hasta La Vista which had to pull out of the race with keel issues before the start - he could well have been out at sea another 24 hours or so.

Grimes was able to pick up a last-minute ride just hours before the start on the Sydney yacht Celestial which finished seventh over the finish line.

Grimes, like most in the fleet, suffered some sea sickness with the majority of boats spending 24 hours plus smashing and crashing upwind.

“I got crook once but got it under control,” said the UNSW student who learned to sail on Lake Macquarie.

“I’m glad we got the upwind first because I was ready for it and it was nice when it got easier. I enjoyed it.”

Grimes said the crew camaraderie at sea was one of the highlights of a Sydney to Hobart which will be remembered for its nasty start and long list of retirements.

“I asked the guys the second night, do you have that moment when you don’t want to be here? They laughed and said they all did.

“Then you get off and want to do it again.’’

Celestial at the start of the 2019 race to Hobart.

While Grimes was enjoying post race bonding, out at sea the majority of boats in the two-handed fleet were preparing for yet another night at sea but optimistic they would all be in Hobart in time to celebrate New Year's Eve on dry land.

Central Coast sailor Jen Linkova, aboard the double-hander Flat White with co-skipper Jason Cummings, has admitted the first part of the race was a struggle but is now enjoying the famous race which has seen almost 40 boats retire due to hard upwind sailing for around 30 hours.

“The first day and a half were a bit rough. I basically spent 36 hours on deck, getting dangerously close to not enjoying the race,’’ she reported off the boat which is due in Hobart on Friday morning minus a spinnaker and a life ring.

“We are enjoying the race more and more as we are learning how to sail her properly.

“We are gaining a lot of experience and some hope to get to Hobart for the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. We are trusting in the weather forecasts.

“We have seen a sunfish, a shark, a tuna and dolphins.’’

Flat White is one of 10 two-handed boats still racing after the atrocious conditions in the opening stanza of the race claimed eight of their divisional rivals.

Jen Linkova is racing a two-handed boat to Hobart.

SYDNEY TO HOBART ROOKIE GETS CALL-UP

DECEMBER 27: Young sailor Tom Grimes woke up on Sunday thinking he would be watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart from a boat in the spectator fleet.

Instead, the 23-year-old was on Sunday night bashing and crashing his way south with the rest of the fleet after a late call-up to the Sydney yacht Celestial.

Tom Grimes picked up a last-minute ride.

“It incredible. I’m so excited,’’ said Grimes, who was originally to have sailed to Hobart with his family before boat issues forced them out of the race south.

“I’ve just thrown some things in a bag. I don’t know what I’ve put in.’’

It is estimated around half the yachts in the fleet have been affected by Covid in some way or another.

Some lost crew because they had tested positive. Others because they were a close contact with someone who has Covid.

These included the overall contenders Whisper and URM, while Vamp and Maverick 49 pulled put on race day due to Covid issues.

Others teams left Sydney on Sunday still stressing about test results which had not arrived before the 1pm start of the race.

However Cruising Yacht Club of Australia officials had earlier in the day confirmed to sailors the would still be able to race if they had undergone the required PCR test but were waiting for a result.

Tom Grimes was to have done the race with sisters Bec and Jess.

But at least the news was good for Grimes, a world match-racing champion who grew up sailing on Lake Macquarie, and urgent for his first Sydney to Hobart experience - even if it’s a particularly challenging one.

Celestial was one of 88 yachts to start the race on Sunday with the starting cannon firing at 1pm to send four starting lines of boats - including 17 two-handers - on their way under giant sails and spinnakers.

It is expected at least some of these yachts will be limping back to Sydney or into a port with damage over the next 24 or so hours due to the torrid conditions being forecast.

YACHT RACE: Worst job in the fleet?

More from AMANDA LULHAM and the Sydney to Hobart yacht race HERE