Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2022: major rule change for two-handed fleet, Wendy Tuck backs decision

They don’t happen often but there’s been one of the biggest rules changes made in the near 80-year history of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and it means double trouble for the favourites.

Speedwell duo Wendy Tuck and Campbell Geeves. Pic: Andrea Francolini

They don’t happen often but there’s been one of the biggest rules changes made in the near 80-year history of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, and it means double trouble for the normal favourites to win the famous ocean classic in 2022.

Sydney to Hobart organisers have responded to calls to modernise and allow two-handed crews to now be in the race for the prestigious overall honours after the class debuted in the 628 nautical mile race last year. They can also race for the line honours trophy.

QUIRKY REASON THIS ATHLETE CHOSE HER SPORT

Wendy Tuck and Campbell Geeves before the last Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

It’s a decision which has left the first Australian to skipper a winning yacht in the Clipper Race, Wendy Tuck, “over the moon.”

“While it’s taken a while it’s a big leap forward for the race and it keeps us in line with what the rest of the world is doing,” said Sydney’s Tuck, who with co-skipper Campbell Geeves was on one of the 17 two-handed boats which started the 2021 event for the first time.

“This is great. I’m just ecstatic.

“The two-handers are something people can connect with. We are not multimillion-dollar boats and crews. We are in touch with the real world and people like our stories.”

Introduced just a year ago, the double-handed crews have blown new life into the old race whose headlines has been dominated for years by supermaxis and celebrity teams.

Tamanians Rob Gough and John Saul raced Sidewinder to success last year.

Much attention last year was on the boats where three is a crowd and the campaigns were run by “normal” sailors, not millionaire backed teams.

But the fact this new class was unable to press for the overall honours and the famed Tattersalls Cup because they have autohelms, did not sit well with them or many other sailors.

Now their decision to ban them for the overall honours race - and line victory -has been lifted.

“For sure we’re going to see more boats in the race now,” Tuck said.

“It’s not all about who has the biggest pockets. This is great for the sport. We have seen declining numbers because people can’t afford it. This will help stop that.”

The start of last yar’s Sydney to Hobart.

Race organisers last year barred two-handers from bidding for the overall win as they were unable to factor them into the handicapping system which decides the victors.

Now they will be able to vie for the George Adams Tattersall Cup for the overall win and the John H. Illingworth Challenge Cup for the line honours winner if they have a valid IRC and/or ORCi rating certificate and “the output of their autopilot required by the NOR is strictly limited to rotation only of the boat’s stern (‘aft’) rudder (s).’'

The CYCA said the decision was made after its board adopted recommendations from the Two-Handed Special Purpose Working Group which assessed the eligibility of two-handed yachts to challenge for the CYCA’s most prestigious trophies.

MORE STORIES

Doco provides insight into sailing “beast”

Move over Kelly Slater. NSW gun’s amazing feat

Teens on the rise. Our top athletic talent

From kid driving everyone crazy to Commonwealth Games

MORE sport from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2022: major rule change for two-handed fleet, Wendy Tuck backs decision