History of blue-water classic runs in Kellett father-son’s blood

With more than 50 races between them, and wins, losses and old sailors’ tales to boot, father-son duo David and Bradshaw Kellett embody the very soul of the Sydney Hobart yacht race.

Father-son duo David and Bradshaw Kellett, on board the Antipodes ahead of the Sydney to Hobart. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

For father and son David and Bradshaw Kellett, the Sydney Hobart isn’t just a yacht race.

It’s not just about the sailing, the sea and the scenery. Rather, the event is about the bond forged between the two men, who, with more than 50 races between them, share a love for the open water and the adventure that comes with it.

David, a past commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, has taken part in 26 races as a participant, and seen more than 20 as the lead of the Rolex radio relay vessel team after retiring from racing.

Son Bradshaw is competing in his 32nd race this year as sailing master for the Antipodes. Back in 2016 he helped smash the race record by almost five hours aboard Perpetual Loyal.

Both father and son have witnessed first-hand the race’s transformation from an adventurous wager to the national spectacle it is today.

David reflected on the “enormous changes” he has seen in the event’s evolution.

“The first race was a group of guys that formed this club (CYCA), who were going to cruise to Hobart and leave sometime in January,” he said. “At the end of World War II an English sailor in the Royal Navy, John Illingworth, was talking to the guys that were going to cruise down and he made that famous remark ‘I’ll join you, but let’s make a race of it’.

“Here we are. It’s one of Australia’s … and all the world’s classic ocean races. It’s evolved so much that the old-style cruising boats that used to race the Hobart have gradually morphed into the carbon-fibre flying machines you see today.”

One of David’s standout racing memory was in 1987 on The Sovereign, which became the first Australian team to win the double of line honours (first place), and first place on handicap.

“We’ve had some wonderful races. I’ve been fortunate to have taken line on boats a couple of times and won it on handicap and been placed in the top 10 several times,” he said.

“There are always special races. There are others where we’ve had some interesting times and some heavy weather. Of course, the ’98 race was quite a difficult race.

“We had a big storm come through. We lost six lives, and that was a very sobering time for the race. We get those conditions at times, but we’re all trained to deal with it.”

David said his son “didn’t stand a chance” of staying away from sailing, and the Sydney Hobart, as he grew older.

“It’s been a fantastic relationship,” he said, sharing his love for the sport with Bradshaw and passing on his sailing expertise.

“I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the first three to five years of Sydney Hobart,” Bradshaw said.

“That was from sailing with older guides like my dad who were quite experienced and taught me the ropes before I went and started finding my own rights.”

Despite the transformation of the race, Bradshaw maintains the adventure that sparked it remains at the core of what makes the race special today.

“We hear stories about the early days of the race passed down by the old boys, going rabbit shooting on some of the islands and in some of the bays on the way down, catching their food and being lost at sea, and then just deciding to head west until they found Tasmania.

“It could have been pot luck, really, anything could have happened. The adventure back in the days was what really intrigued people,” he said.

Bradshaw looks forward to a more laid-back race this year than in past years.

“This year? For me it’s quite relaxed. I’ve kind of retired from being the boat captain role and preparing the boats, and upgraded to a sailing master on a slower boat. The way I look at it, the day rate’s the same for me and I’m out there longer. So it’s a win-win, really.”