There were 2 Chinese Teams. Ark323 a TP52 that had a collision just after the start and retired. Also Shuguang Haiyang, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42i who seem to be on a leisurely cruise to Hobart, a certainty to take out the cruising division.

MB, surely it's more complicated than simple bad seamanship. If the guys pulling out were poor seamen, why did some of them win the Transat? Are people who do the two-handed Melbourne to Osaka truly crap seamen? Is Billy Ratcliff, an old-style S&S 34 sailor with 40+ Hobarts and a good finish in the tough '84 race, really a poor seaman?

If it's all about being a bad seaman in a bad boat and pushing too hard, why are cruising boats and boats that are probably not out there with any hope of winning also pulling out?

Whatever is happening out there, playing the "they are bad seamen and I know better" card probably won't get anyone anywhere in working it out.

I accept what you say. Not all retirements reflect poor seamanship. Winning a race on the other hand does not reflect good seamanship. These boats should be able to finish a race if sailed well. A 1998 S2H notwithstanding, far too many yachts can't finish this race in pretty average conditions. That means something.

Watched Ken Reid from another boat during a J24 regatta many moons ago
The guy has sailing ability out of reach of us mere mortals, and seems a real nice bloke !
He'll win !

Can Ragamuffin pull back 35 nm and win it from here considering both Comanche & Ramblers damage?
Thoughts?

My heart is with 2 boats. Wild Rose, currently IRC 4th division 1st place, and Kayle-Sailors with Disabilities on which is my good friend Kristi.

Yara said..

MorningBird said..
I accept what you say. Not all retirements reflect poor seamanship. Winning a race on the other hand does not reflect good seamanship. These boats should be able to finish a race if sailed well. A 1998 S2H notwithstanding, far too many yachts can't finish this race in pretty average conditions. That means something.

These boats are designed to the limit, with very little factors of safety. Hence small mistakes can cause damage. They gamble on not hitting any floating objects, (particularly dagger boards and rudders) , and IMHO that is a big gamble in a long race. Add the high speeds, and pity the huge slow fish or whale/dugong or whatever that gets in the way.

Just heard skipper of wild rose say this years race conditions worse he has been in.
30% of fleet now retired .

Bananabender said..

Yara said..

MorningBird said..
I accept what you say. Not all retirements reflect poor seamanship. Winning a race on the other hand does not reflect good seamanship. These boats should be able to finish a race if sailed well. A 1998 S2H notwithstanding, far too many yachts can't finish this race in pretty average conditions. That means something.

These boats are designed to the limit, with very little factors of safety. Hence small mistakes can cause damage. They gamble on not hitting any floating objects, (particularly dagger boards and rudders) , and IMHO that is a big gamble in a long race. Add the high speeds, and pity the huge slow fish or whale/dugong or whatever that gets in the way.

Just heard skipper of wild rose say this years race conditions worse he has been in.
30% of fleet now retired .

I retired from a race once because one of the crew got really badly seasick. Well past green. There would be humanitarian grounds too that maybe we dont know about.

At least they don't call the race off based on weather. My crew and I when racing practiced especially in rain or wind and often had an advantage in bad weather because we knew when to take it easy and how not to fall overboard and there would be garanteed DNFs or DNCs.

But now I notice if its deemed "too windy" by the committee of many clubs they cancel the race. The last club I raced at introduced that "due diligence" they called it idea which immediately eliminated any advantage we had. So we stopped practicing in bad weather. Not a good way to turn out experienced sailors who can deal with wind waves and not break the boat!

Nic (Sailor Girl) has just uploaded her first vid from Constitution Dock.

Well done to the crew on Comanche ! to come back and finish with a broken rudder and dagger board is truly a great effort, and to win is incredible


you gotta love it !!!

David George suggested three day event two races each day Harbor challenge
A Big Plus one for that if it got off the ground

The Mighty little Sand S 34 Quickpoint Azzuro is looking good for the win

Can't hurt the resale value of the Morning Bird either, eh MB.

I think this may be the first race since about 1962 or earlier that hasn't had a single 30/31 footer in it, so it's great to see a small boat win. Well, actually it's always good to see a small boat win IMHO, but this time it's particularly important for the future of Australian ocean racing as far as I can judge.

SandS said..



come on Azzurro !!!!!! hope the wind stays in for her !

Just messaging Alan Fenwick, possibly the most experienced S&S34 racer in Oz having done numerous Hobarts on his Morning Tide and won all Cat 1 races on the east coast except this one.

He is pessimistic, the wind is dying in the Derwent. Speed over ground is between 1.9 and 6.2, currently 3.9. 37nm to go. Has to finish before 0443 tomorrow.