Zephyr thriving in the 78th Sydney-Hobart as Tasmanian boats line up for trophies in the blue water classic

Lightning, bagels and freeze-dried tucker – Tassie boat Zephyr is thriving in the 78th Sydney-Hobart as yachts challenge for silverware.

Cathryn Kerr, Jimmy Emms, Ian Johnston skipper and owner, Diana Reale, Craig Squires. Some of the crew of Zephyr taking part in the Sydney to Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Lightning lit up the sky as a powerful thunderstorm surrounded them but that did not phase the crew of Tasmanian boat Zephyr on day two of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Wednesday.

Zephyr’s navigator Karl Van Drunen reported that all on board were safe and well as the 41-footer from the Derwent Sailing Squadron made its way down the NSW South Coast.

The thunderstorm punished a large section of the fleet, but Zephyr Insurance Masters, placed 80th on the water and 13th in IRC division four, was untouched.

“We had some calm periods and we had some windy periods last night,” Van Drunen said.

“Conditions were quite varied so it was up and down with the sails, sometimes we had the spinnakers up and other times they were down.”

Cathryn Kerr, Jimmy Emms, Ian Johnston skipper and owner, Diana Reale, Craig Squires. Some of the crew of Zephyr taking part in the Sydney to Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mother Nature put on quite a light show for the fleet.

“We saw lightning all around us but we didn’t have any rain or hail, just quite variable conditions with the wind, and at times the sea state got up a bit,” Van Drunen said.

“Other than that the boat is going well, no issues.”

After a frenetic opening among a fleet of 103 starters, Zephyr settled into its race routine.

“We’re all good – some of the crew managed to get some sleep this morning and they’ve just come out onto the deck,” Van Drunen said.

“The sun is shining so the mood here is pretty good – it would be nice if it wasn’t quite as bumpy.”

Fresh food on the first night will be replaced by skipper Ian Johnston’s menu of freeze-dried tucker.

“We’re going to try that tonight,” Van Drunen said.

“We had a nice bagel for tea last night, nice and fresh, and we’ll get into the dry food next.”

The race computer estimates Zephyr will finish on December 31 and the crew hope to celebrate the New Year at home.

“That’s what we are planning. At this stage we’re going along pretty well,” Van Drunen said.

Fellow-Tasmanian yacht Alive is in the running for a top four finish across the line and a prize in IRC division 0, while AdvantEdge is 43 on the water and 13th in IRC division 2.

Andrew Jones owner and skipper and his son Josh Jones who will take part in the Sydney to Hobart 2023 on board yacht Advantedge. Picture: Andrea Francolini/Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Tenacity is 39th in the fleet and 11th on IRC division 3, Midnight Rambler is 55th for line honours and second in IRC division 4.

Midnight Rambler (left) had close racing with Whistler (Drew Latham) (right) in the Racing Keelboat Group of the Crown Series Bellerive Regatta. Picture Jane Austin

In the Two-Handed division, Rob Gough and John Saul had Kraken 111 leading IRC division 5 early on day two and settled into the top five and had their 33-footer placed an outstanding 44th on the water.

Originally published as Zephyr thriving in the 78th Sydney-Hobart as Tasmanian boats line up for trophies in the blue water classic