Sydney to Hobart yacht race: what sailors will eat and wear for fast but testing race
T-shirts and shorts have been crew uniforms on Sydney to Hobart racers in the past but they are being replaced by beanies, bear suits and boil-in-the-bag food for the 79th race.
T-shirts and shorts have been crew uniforms on Sydney to Hobart racers in the past but they are being replaced by beanies and bear suits with boil-in-the-bag food also on the menu for a testing 79th race.
A forecast of wild high-speedsurfing at the start, plenty of bump in the middle and then tricky, tactical racing near the end has sailors preparing for the trek south a little differently this year.
The conditions - fun at times but testing and also potentially bruising and dangerous - will have some crews preparing their food in a different way due to the difficulty of heating or cooking in super fast or slamming conditions.
“With food, it will be difficult cooking, just getting someone forward in the galley in fast downwind the first night,” said Celestial skipper Sam Haynes, aboard a chartered 70-foot round the world racer considered among the favourites for the overall victory.
“We use boil-in-the bag food, stew or a curry and will take freeze dried which we can use in an emergency.
“Also plenty of snack in case we can’t heat up or cook and need to eat. Everyone needs good nutrition.”
Top-line wet weather clothing with tight seals at the neck and wrists will be crucial for in the wet conditions at sea.
“There’s just so much water over the deck. You need everything sealed up,” Haynes said.
Temperatures are also expected to plummet during the race to around 15 degrees which has sailors adding warmer clothes their kit backs.
Add in wind chill factor which could drop temperatures further and it will be decidedly nippy for crews.
Thermal tops and base layers will be packed in kits with some sailors favouring all-in-one bear suits and beanies to stay warm.
A fleet of 105 yachts is entered for the 628 nautical mile race south this year with numbers expected to swell for the 80th anniversary race in 2025.
Four 100 footers are racing with the battle for line honours expected to be fought out between Master Lock Comanche and LawConnect.
Both these yachts could also be in the running for the overall honours with the likes of fellow supermaxi Wild Thing 100, and the smaller Celestial, URM, Caro and Whisper.
While the forecast has lost some of its intensity - 60 knots was on the menu at one stage - it will be a true test of skill, teamwork and a navigators ability to connect the dots between various weather systems.
“It’s looking good for our boat but it will be about getting though the transition, that front (on December 27) and getting the boat through the first night in 30 knots plus,” Haynes said.
Adding complexity to the race is a wind shadow off the coast of Tasmania which could play a big role in the race outcome.
“This could be decisive in results,” Haynes said.
“The fleet could compress here.”
The Sydney to Hobart starts at 1pm on Boxing Day off start lines on Sydney Harbour.
LawConnect is the defending champion and Master Lock Comanche the race record holder after settiing a mark of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds in 2017.
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