Sydney to Hobart 2020: Fleet numbers high despite coronavirus drama

Sydney to Hobart skippers shocked at what has happened to the yacht race fleet in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The start of the Sydney to Hobart regularly attracts large crowds but it is expected numbers will be monitored this year.

Social distancing will be tricky in the close confines of a racing yacht but each skipper in the Sydney to Hobart will need a COVID-19 safety plan to do the 76th race and one is about to launch temperature testing of their sailors throughout December.

Sailors are looking at the practicalities of what will work aboard a racing boat, bringing additionally eating utensils aboard to stop sharing, changing watch systems, wiping down beds used for ‘hot bunking’, using hand sanitiser more regularly and even asking sailors to limit their social contact with others in the final lead-up to the race.

The crew aboard Perpetual Loyal rest on the bow during light conditions on a previous race to Hobart.

Crews on the larger boats have also been slashed, with InfoTrack taking just 19 to Hobart instead of around 24 sailors.

“We are working on ours at the moment to see what will work,’’ said Christian Beck, the skipper of InfoTrack, one of only two supermaxis doing the race this year.

Former two-time overall winner Matt Allen said his Ichi Ban yacht has a doctor in its crew who is an expert in the area and will work to his recommendations.

“It (social distancing) is an issue when you are in close quarters but we don’t ever have many down below at the same time,’’ said Allen, whose crew also includes sailors from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

“We won’t share utensils, water bottles that sort of thing. We will make assessments as we get closer to the start.’’

Christian Beck and his InfoTrack leads the fleet out of Sydney Harbour during the start of the 2019 Sydney to Hobart. Pic: Brett Costello

Matt Allen and his team on Ichi Ban after their last win two years ago.

While the need for extra hygiene measures and precautions is the new norm, Eastern Suburbs skipper Allen and others sailors have expressed shock at the number of yachts entered.

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Noel Cornish confirmed the number at 89 on Wednesday and while there is likely to be a spate of pre-race withdrawals, a fleet of around 80 will be on the start on Boxing Day.

“It is quite remarkable to have 89,’’ Allen said.

“To have a fleet this size when just two months ago we were looking at having half that, or less.’’

The race village in Hobart, which overlooks the dock, will be closed to the public this year.

Cornish said the number has “exceeded expectation’’ with internationals entries - which can number 10 or more - unable to come to Australia due to the pandemic.

There will be major changes to the start of the race with no public allowed on the CYCA dock to farewell the fleet as is an annual tradition.

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Originally published as Sydney to Hobart 2020: Fleet numbers high despite coronavirus drama