MapisM
Well-Known Member
Not really a MoBo subject, I know...
But just in case, will anyone be along the shore to have a look?
But just in case, will anyone be along the shore to have a look?
Sydney-Hobart start (1pm on Dec.26th), anyone?
- Thread starter MapisM
- Start date
AndieMac
Well-Known Member
Is that crickets I hear chirping
........I have found in the past M, the best shore-based vantage point (for harbour viewing) is the old gunnery site on Middle-Head, accessed through the suburb of Mossman on the North Shore, as well as being relatively close to you.
You get a fantastic view of the yachts (and of course the multitudes of spectator boats) as they leave the two start lines (maxi's on one and the more conventional smaller models on the second) and sail right past the high cliffs that you will stand on, accompanied by 10,000 of your closest friends
If you want to watch them run down the coast as they head south, you will need to position yourself on South Head. This year they are predicting a fast spinnaker run from the heads which should look awesome.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Aha, good to know C., many thanks.
In fact, today we drove to Bondi beach, and from there up to the most northern part of that coast.
Being the southern cape of the harbour access, I suppose that's what you're calling "South Head"?
Anyway, the view from there was stunning.
And with the NNE wind of today, I also thought that all those spinnakers could be good for some decent pics.
But I just checked the forecasts, and it's expected to be more from SE on the 26th...
In fact, today we drove to Bondi beach, and from there up to the most northern part of that coast.
Being the southern cape of the harbour access, I suppose that's what you're calling "South Head"?
Anyway, the view from there was stunning.
And with the NNE wind of today, I also thought that all those spinnakers could be good for some decent pics.
But I just checked the forecasts, and it's expected to be more from SE on the 26th...
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
I would expect a pretty good view from the top of Sydney harbour bridge. This is a fantastic experience and the views are to die for.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Actually, I understand that the race will start just north of Shark Island, which is about 2nm E of the Harbour Bridge, towards the Ocean.
I suppose that the scenario would be nice also at that distance, but I'd agree with AndieMac that either the cliffs at the N or at the S of the bay entrance (if I understood correctly) are the best positions, and much closer to the passing boats.
We'll see... Can't be in all the nice spots at the same time, anyway!
I suppose that the scenario would be nice also at that distance, but I'd agree with AndieMac that either the cliffs at the N or at the S of the bay entrance (if I understood correctly) are the best positions, and much closer to the passing boats.
We'll see... Can't be in all the nice spots at the same time, anyway!
Pinnacle
Well-Known Member
Actually, I understand that the race will start just north of Shark Island, which is about 2nm E of the Harbour Bridge, towards the Ocean.
I suppose that the scenario would be nice also at that distance, but I'd agree with AndieMac that either the cliffs at the N or at the S of the bay entrance (if I understood correctly) are the best positions, and much closer to the passing boats.
We'll see... Can't be in all the nice spots at the same time, anyway!
This is one of the races I would love to do before I get too old........
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Actually, I understand that the race will start just north of Shark Island, which is about 2nm E of the Harbour Bridge, towards the Ocean.
I suppose that the scenario would be nice also at that distance, but I'd agree with AndieMac that either the cliffs at the N or at the S of the bay entrance (if I understood correctly) are the best positions, and much closer to the passing boats.
We'll see... Can't be in all the nice spots at the same time, anyway!
If you haven't done the Bridge climb yet, it is well worth it. Plus lunch in the old fort in the middle of the harbour. You can sit and watch boats breezing by all day from there. Great fish too
AndieMac
Well-Known Member
That's the Oz equivalent to the Solent on a busy bank holiday on most summer Sunday's, often/mostly chaotic as the fast yachts do battle with the ferries and speed boats in the narrow fairways
AndieMac
Well-Known Member
And with the NNE wind of today, I also thought that all those spinnakers could be good for some decent pics.
But I just checked the forecasts, and it's expected to be more from SE on the 26th...
If the NNE'er has enough strength the big maxi's would be hoping to run quickly down the coast and clear the worst of the converging tidal area south of Gabo Island (confluence of the Tasman Sea and Bass Strait) before it turns southerly and have to bash what can be huge head-seas, and severely lessen their chances of race records.
The nearby coastal village of Eden often sees damaged race yachts limping in with both rig and structural hull damage from the pounding they get as they flog there way into the often unrelenting southerly buster.
East coast Oz boaters view Bass Strait as Brits view the Bay of Biscay or the Pentland Firth.
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MapisM
Well-Known Member
Update
No spinnakers today, unfortunately: as predicted, southern wind it was.
Actually already blowing since yesterday, and strong enough to build up some decent waves.
I mean, big enough to see one of the big MoBos following the race start (40m or so, possibly more) stuffing her bow in the waves and struggling to keep pace with the bigger yachts, which seemed not only faster, but also more stable...
That's the sort of thing which puts the sea worthiness of MoBos in perspective, I must admit.
I made a few pics and clips, but the compact camera I had wasn't really good enough.
Anyway, I'll try to cut and upload something, if of any interest.
Great scenario anyway, well worth its fame!
No spinnakers today, unfortunately: as predicted, southern wind it was.
Actually already blowing since yesterday, and strong enough to build up some decent waves.
I mean, big enough to see one of the big MoBos following the race start (40m or so, possibly more) stuffing her bow in the waves and struggling to keep pace with the bigger yachts, which seemed not only faster, but also more stable...
That's the sort of thing which puts the sea worthiness of MoBos in perspective, I must admit.
I made a few pics and clips, but the compact camera I had wasn't really good enough.
Anyway, I'll try to cut and upload something, if of any interest.
Great scenario anyway, well worth its fame!
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
No spinnakers today, unfortunately: as predicted, southern wind it was.
Actually already blowing since yesterday, and strong enough to build up some decent waves.
I mean, big enough to see one of the big MoBos following the race start (40m or so, possibly more) stuffing her bow in the waves and struggling to keep pace with the bigger yachts, which seemed not only faster, but also more stable...
That's the sort of thing which puts the sea worthiness of MoBos in perspective, I must admit.
I made a few pics and clips, but the compact camera I had wasn't really good enough.
Anyway, I'll try to cut and upload something, if of any interest.
Great scenario anyway, well worth its fame!
Yes please MM! Would love some pictures when you can
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Ok folks, the interest wasn't exactly overwhelming, but who am I to disappoint rbcoomer?
Actually, I'm afraid that I'll disappoint him (and anyone else looking) anyway, to some extent, because as I said I was using the cheapo u/w camera which I bought for the GBR, and the lens clearly shows its limits, when shooting at some distance.
Anyway, this is what I have to offer. Luckily, the real view was much nicer than the pics...
The first pic has to be of Wild Oats XI.
Stunning yacht indeed: she was leading the lot by almost half a mile just after leaving the heads delimiting the Sydney Bay, and going steady as a rock, which was almost unbelievable, given the sea conditions!
I wasn' surprised to read that she was also the first at the finishing line...
This is an overview from South Head, including North Head on the left side of the pic.
Gorgeous scenario, the pic doesn't make it any justice...
Here's the main group of sailboats which followed the leaders.
The tall ship wasn't racing, of course.
Same as previous, but in a wider context.
Finally, here's a short clip.
Unfortunately, this is where the camera limits are more evident, but at least it gives an idea of the distance between the leader and the followers, which was amazing considering that the race just started.
Also, it's good to better understand the sea conditions, which must have been much tougher than it looked from a distance (and even more so from the pics): just look at 0:30 that big MoBo pitching like hell. She didn't stand a chance to keep the sailboats pace, in that sort of head sea. Towards the end of the video, also the tall ship can be seen rolling and pitching like a pig...
And in spite of that, most sailboats looked like they were cruising on rails -impressive stuff indeed!
Actually, I'm afraid that I'll disappoint him (and anyone else looking) anyway, to some extent, because as I said I was using the cheapo u/w camera which I bought for the GBR, and the lens clearly shows its limits, when shooting at some distance.
Anyway, this is what I have to offer. Luckily, the real view was much nicer than the pics...
The first pic has to be of Wild Oats XI.
Stunning yacht indeed: she was leading the lot by almost half a mile just after leaving the heads delimiting the Sydney Bay, and going steady as a rock, which was almost unbelievable, given the sea conditions!
I wasn' surprised to read that she was also the first at the finishing line...
This is an overview from South Head, including North Head on the left side of the pic.
Gorgeous scenario, the pic doesn't make it any justice...
Here's the main group of sailboats which followed the leaders.
The tall ship wasn't racing, of course.
Same as previous, but in a wider context.
Finally, here's a short clip.
Unfortunately, this is where the camera limits are more evident, but at least it gives an idea of the distance between the leader and the followers, which was amazing considering that the race just started.
Also, it's good to better understand the sea conditions, which must have been much tougher than it looked from a distance (and even more so from the pics): just look at 0:30 that big MoBo pitching like hell. She didn't stand a chance to keep the sailboats pace, in that sort of head sea. Towards the end of the video, also the tall ship can be seen rolling and pitching like a pig...
And in spite of that, most sailboats looked like they were cruising on rails -impressive stuff indeed!
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rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Thanks MM. Looks quite a foul day for midsummer in Sydney. There was a lot of swell!
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
Thanks MM
Every picture tells a story as they say. Whilst I've looked at the 'marketing shots' already online, they never do justice to the overall 'feel' IMHO. They might give great hi-res close-ups, but usually from the comfort of a helicopter or similar. I actually think your shots capture more of the spectator/big event atmosphere and having watched the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes and offshore powerboat racing from Brixham since I was a kid, I can actually get quite absorbed by those wide-view shots!
Did you wish you were out there on the water then? Nothing like a bit of froth & swell to get the adrenaline going... (And no, I wouldn't have the balls for such an endeavor! 
)
Every picture tells a story as they say. Whilst I've looked at the 'marketing shots' already online, they never do justice to the overall 'feel' IMHO. They might give great hi-res close-ups, but usually from the comfort of a helicopter or similar. I actually think your shots capture more of the spectator/big event atmosphere and having watched the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes and offshore powerboat racing from Brixham since I was a kid, I can actually get quite absorbed by those wide-view shots!
Did you wish you were out there on the water then? Nothing like a bit of froth & swell to get the adrenaline going...
(And no, I wouldn't have the balls for such an endeavor! )
MapisM
Well-Known Member
I'm glad you liked the pics.
Re. your question, actually not so much, I must admit.
I mean, of course being much closer would have been nice, but the overview from the cliffs was equally fascinating, if not more.
Otoh, being on one of the racing yachts, that would have been a different story...
I can undestand why Pinnacle said that he would love to do this race!
Re. your question, actually not so much, I must admit.
I mean, of course being much closer would have been nice, but the overview from the cliffs was equally fascinating, if not more.
Otoh, being on one of the racing yachts, that would have been a different story...
I can undestand why Pinnacle said that he would love to do this race!
AndieMac
Well-Known Member
Thanks for posting the video footage P, with a south-easterly swell hitting the vertical cliffs south of South Head it kicks up a big backwash creating an untidy confused sea, which makes you want to keep out wide, away from this effect.
How have you found the city traffic so far attending these events?
How have you found the city traffic so far attending these events?
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Aha, interesting. I sort of guessed that the route they choose had something to see with the sea conditions, because considering just the wind direction and the ideal route to Hobart, I would have expected the yachts to pass much closer to South Head.
Surely those guys knew what they were doing, anyway!
Yes, the traffic has been a bit hectic that day, but being used to the traffic of Milan and other big EU cities, Oz is a sort of heaven in comparison, even in Sydney. If only you would drive on the right, rather than the wrong side of the road...
After all, you survived pretty well the changeover to the decimal system.
You might show those guys north of the Channel, yet again, that when there's a will there's a way!
AndieMac
Well-Known Member
If only you would drive on the right, rather than the wrong side of the road...
After all, you survived pretty well the changeover to the decimal system.
You might show those guys north of the Channel, yet again, that when there's a will there's a way!
We still follow the motherlands lead as far as road rules are concerned, but funny you should mention the metric conversion, I've noticed middle-aged folk (we were mostly converted by 1980) still use measurements such as one metre and six inches, but even guys in their late teens today using feet, although not sure if they actually understand the measurement specifically or just using a term from American films
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MapisM
Well-Known Member
LOL, funny, so far I never heard that, but I'll try to notice.
I would think that mixing the two systems is even worse than fully sticking to imperial...
Maybe they feel that the cm is a too small unit for such a large Country!
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
LOL, funny, so far I never heard that, but I'll try to notice.
I would think that mixing the two systems is even worse than fully sticking to imperial...
Maybe they feel that the cm is a too small unit for such a large Country!
I'll give half a crown to anyone who can explain this.
