Hobart crew to reset their goal for the 2021 Sydney to Hobart yacht race

Meet the Tasmanian crew that hoped to win the Sydney-Hobart’s inaugural two-handed category on their 40ft rocket Sidewinder.

• Alive crew in quarantine but hopeful of competing in the Launceston to Hobart yacht race
• Crack navigator Claire Cunningham plotted a new course after Sydney-Hobart was cancelled

DESPITE buying a crack new boat, months of preparation and being a pre-race favourite in their category for this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race, John Saul and Robbie Gough say the right decision was made to cancel the race.

The Hobart sailors were gearing up for the Sydney-Hobart’s new two-handed event _ a yacht crewed by two people _ and their weapon of choice was the 40-foot flyer Sidewinder.

Robbie Gough and John Saul preparing to sail the Sydney-Hobart yacht race two-handed aboard their new yacht Sidewinder. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Covid-19 stopped them from going to Adelaide to collect their boat when South Australia had its outbreak.

And Covid-19 sank their bid to be the inaugural winners of the Sydney-Hobart’s two-handed title.

Saul had already won Melbourne to Hobart outright on line honours in a two-handed crew with Royce Salter in 1997.

Melbourne to Hobart. Winners of the 1997 Melbourne Hobart yacht race John Saul and Royce Salter [right], who sailed the race two handed on their boat Computerland. Photo: Tony Palmer.

That’s why a two-handed title in the Sydney-Hobart was a realistic goal.

“We are really disappointed the race is not on but the health of Tasmanians is far more important,” Saul said.

“It’s sad that it’s not going ahead, especially for the first time in so many years.

“The reality is, we can’t take risks with Tasmanian lives and that would have been the case if the race went on.

“The right decision has been made by the Tasmanian government, the Tasmanian Health Department and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia – it just became an untenable situation and obviously the race had to be cancelled as a result.”

Fortunately, Saul and Gough did not get stuck in Sydney because of the Covid-19 lockdown, but the boat will stay Sydneyside until it is safe to bring it home.

The pair will reload for the 2021 Sydney-Hobart.

“What a great thing to do over Christmas – line up and do a major Australian ocean race, finishing in a beautiful place like Hobart,” Saul said.

“As an economy we seem to coming out of Covid quite strongly.

“There will be a lot of enthusiasm to participate next year to make up for the unfortunate circumstances this year.”