Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

[zoidberg]

I started my racing on Dragons in the Tay way more than half a century ago.... and in winter. There was ice on the water, and in my hair. A while later, I found my way onto RAF raceboats in RORC events, then swiftly onto civilian boats in RORC events. ( they're better fed ). That's largely 'cos qualified navigators were then like rocking horse poo, and I knew which side of a chart to use ( Hint - it's the coloured bit! ). I also had one of HerMaj's CONSOL charts squirreled away and could always get a fix, regardless of any hell that was breaking loose up above. And no, I knew diddley-squat about sailtrim and seamanship. There were always others to do the grunt-work.

I've conned my way onto raceboats intermittently ever since, but I've stuck religiously to my one rule and principle - 'Go racing by all means, but do it on someone's else's boat!'

 

[boomerangben]

I think the great thing about sailing and racing is that there are so many levels and classes which pretty much covers everything from tooties racing Optimists around the local pond to the America’s cup where millions are spent on winning so you can call the rules for next time. If you want hi tech, there’s a class for you, if you want to push a thing of varnish clad beauty, do that, a tatty old Laser round the cans………. And you can even go sailing just for pure love of it, and not even see another boat let alone race against one

 

[bikedaft]

Thanks for posting, Will, please ignore the nay sayers

 

[Stemar]

Thanks for posting, Will, please ignore the nay sayers

I don't know if my comment makes me a nay sayer, but I'll echo that - thanks for posting.

 

[coopec]

Surely there should be one set of rules for the entire fleet - wind/muscle power only as it used to be for 50 years?

What next? Maybe the deck and sails covered in solar cells which also provides power to propel the yacht?.

Sailing Yacht with Solar Sails - 55m HELIOS

 

[jlavery]

Well that kicked up a hornets nest of opinions. My aim was to provide some entertainment for my friends hunkered down for winter. I would not advocate or decry these massive yachts. Perhaps we mortals should be grateful some very rich people think it worthwhile to spend money on super yacht design.
I do find the argy bargy of a yacht race start and early on the wind competition for a place to the first mark as fascinating. I enjoy it to a small extent on my little boat which is quite agile. How much more challenging for those 100 fters doing "the mating dance of the lead bottomed money eaters". ol'will

Not a hornet's nest - just a range of opinions!

 

[Resolution]

Another one here to thank you Will for your post. The start was also streamed live on the race website, so I was able to sit in damp rainy England and listen to the commentators talking about 28 degrees and 15 knots - perfect sailing conditions in Sydney. Some of the close quarters stuff was really exciting.

 

[zoidberg]

and you need a Civil Aviation Authority Private Pilots Licence to helm the WIG aircraft

I have it on good authority that Sir Francis Chichester had very little time for the wonks at the CAA ( and their predecessors ). It was reciprocated. They tried more than wunce to take away his Flying License. I'm told that a Very Senior Royal expressed disapproval at the idea - in a time when that had some serious 'agency'.

 

[coopec]

The future Sydney/Hobart Line Honors yacht?
"We don't need that, we've got solar panels, wind generators, hydro generators, we can use the elements to recharge our power so that we can actually communicate and do all the safety stuff."

J-Bird is powered by six 22-kilogram batteries, situated at the centre of the vessel, making it the heaviest part of the yacht outside of the keel."

First electric yacht enters Sydney to Hobart

 

[coopec]

"7 Mar 2021 — After 1,000 hours of sailing time, the bot could match the lifetime experience of world-class sailors. ... The bot was able to increase the speed

Flying across the sea, propelled by AI

 

[dunedin]

Not sure when we need this duplicate thread in PBO, but there is an amazing story of seamanship and perseverance from the GBR entry Sunrise on the thread in the Racing forum - Sunrise in the Sydney Hobart