Sydney to Hobart yacht race gun, Olympian Chris Nicholson putting body on line on LawConnect

This famous sailors job literally makes him sick. So why is he about to head out to sea in one of the toughest ocean races in the world?

Sailor Chris Nicholson from Belmont is racing south on a line honours favourite.

Two-time Olympian and multiple world champion Chris Nicholson knows the rougher, tougher and bumpier the conditions in the Sydney to Hobart the better he and his cremates on the supermaxi LawConnect will go.

But it will quite literally make him sick.

Nicholson, from Lake Macquarie, has chosen the oddest job in the world for someone who gets badly seasick - being a professional sailor.

“We want the worse race possible,” said the round the world skipper, former world 49er skiff champion and top 18-foot skiff sailor of the 100-footer’s bid for the line honours in the race which starts on Boxing Day.

“Sadly, for me personally, it’s the last thing I want.

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LawConnect at the start of last year’s race to Hobart.

“It’s an uncomfortable trip for someone who gets sea sick but I’d rather the result than any other conditions.”

Despite making racing his professional for more than two decades, Nicholson still suffers from sea sickness, a debilitating malady which will affect many in the fleet and over the years has forces hundred of yachts out of the race.

Chris Nicholson and Daniel Phillips competed for Australia at the Sydney and Athens Olympics in 20220 and 2004.

“I still get sick. If it’s rough I will be crook,” said Nicholson who has competed in multiple round the world race where he has been at sea for weeks at a time and sometimes over a month.

“I take a pill that’s a slow delivery into my system which is what works better for me.

“I used to get acupuncture and I do self hypnosis to get to sleep.

Chris Nicholson is one of Australia’s great ocean sailors despite suffering from sea sickness.

“That’s about reminding yourself of the good things in your life, putting aside the current situation and good breathing and relaxation.”

While a fast start and downwind sailing is forecast for the 2022 race there might still be some lump and bump in the later stages of the race for the fleet frontrunners which include Christian Beck’s LawConnect.

This year’s fleet currently stands at 110 and boasts four supermaxis, eight internationals and three yachts of just 30-foot.

Last year LawConnect made it to Hobart but had plenty of drama along the way.

The yacht had flooding below deck due to water ballast issues.

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