Sydney to Hobart finish: Mixed emotions, dramas for Jessica Watson on Oroton Drumbeat

Jessica Watson has completed a fourth Sydney to Hobart – complete with a generator explosion, near retirement and top home cooking – with mixed emotions after a race tragedy.

Jessica Watson (C) with the Oroton Drumfire crew. Picture: Asheley Dart/CYCA

Round the world adventurer Jessica Watson has finished a drama-packed Sydney to Hobart race – complete with a generator explosion, near retirement, and some superb home cooking.

The Australian, who captured the imagination of the nation when she sailed around the world on her tiny yacht Pink Lady as a teenager, finished her fourth Sydney to Hobart on the glamour yacht Oroton Drumfire.

But while a comfortable ride, the 78-footer had her own issues in the torrid race, won by LawConnect with line honours and Celestial 70 overall.

“It’s good to be here but there are a lot of mixed emotions,’’ Watson said on her arrival, referring to the death of two sailors during the race.

“Our heartfelt thoughts go out to all the loved ones of the sailors lost so there’s a lot of emotion about that.’’

Watson was ready for the testing conditions which were forecast pre-race.

“I think people will struggle to take me seriously if I complain,’’ Watson said.

“I know that if we are doing it tough the rest of the fleet are doing it tougher.’’

Jess Watson, Stacey Jackson and Carolijn Brouwer from Oroton Drumfire. Picture: Amanda Lulham

It took Watson and her crewmates just over three days and eight hours to compete this year’s torrid Hobart race.

A year ago on a yacht less than half the size, she was at sea for more than five days and only made it into Hobart for New Year’s Eve celebrations late the afternoon of December 31.

“It’s much, much nicer to be here early and get to spend time with my incredible crewmates,’’ she said of the Drumfire crew skippered by Phillip Neil, who proved to be the hero when the yacht suffered major issues with its engine.

Oroton Drumfire in Hobart. Picture: Amanda Lulham

Jessica Watson with other women racing on Oroton Drumfire. Picture: Asheley Dart/CYCA

However Watson and her crewmates, including round the world sailors Stacey Jackson and Carolijn Brouwer, almost didn’t make it to Hobart.

“That was a hard race, a proper Sydney to Hobart, the one they put in the brochures,’’ said Brouwer of the strong winds, steep seas, washing machine like conditions in Bass Strait then tricky and fickle winds nearing the finish.

“We almost retired to Eden because out generator and we had a huge oil slick.

“We couldn’t charge the batteries off the engine either, they are sued for everything like routing and computers.

“But we have a magician on-board, Phil, who I am in awe of.

Conditions at sea were rough for the fleet. Here Sirene races towards Hobart.

“He spent the first night with his head in the engine room for eight hours, grinding stainless steel to make a shorter belt that he had spare.

“Somehow he managed to do it and then two hours of Eden we were able to charge the batteries.

“He never gave up. The conditions for him were just ridiculous.’’

Brouwer said she was almost as impressed when he whipped up a baked dinner of lamb roast and then “the best ever” Poke bowl for the next meal with fresh salmon and avocado.

Jackson said it was difficult for everyone hearing the mayday calls that went out the first night and morning relating to the accidents on Bowline and Flying Fish.

“It is the worst thing a sailor or anyone who goes to sea can hear,’’ she said.

“But everyone was very professional and did their roles.’’

More from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Sydney to Hobart finish: Mixed emotions, dramas for Jessica Watson on Oroton Drumbeat