The 67th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is gaining a lot of popularity worldwide among the sailing fraternity. It is anticipated to draw a fleet of 96 boats on the Sydney Harbour start line on 26 December. Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is an international sporting event as various yachts are being shipped and sailed to the location. On the other hand, a majority of the Australian fleet will come with those progressing to form ranks with the locals and heading down under and across the Tasman Sea. This year, many youngsters are making their presence felt in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, which has a formidable reputation.

Garry Linacre, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) Commodore was present on the occasion of official race launch. He made an announcement about the fleet and met with a panel of selected skippers and crew. He exclaimed that this year’s event once again sports diversity, which makes the event so unique. There’s a constant attraction and anticipation among the sailors as they’ll cross the notorious eastern Bass Straight.

Adding further, he said that the race’s appeal is when the 67th overall winner will beat many thousands in the Nine meter yachts up against 30 meter super maxis. He mentioned that many young sailors are taking up the wheel and making key decisions as the captain. Jessica Watson, the solo yachtswoman among the fleet along with three offspring will handle their family boat and lead the crew.

Commodore Linacre stated that it is wonderful to see that Jess will be heading the 38 footer Ella Bache. Three new young skippers, two just 18, will also take up important roles in this Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.
As part of their pre-race training, Jessica Watson will be heading along with her full Hobart crew on a ‘dry run’ to Hobart today. She explains that a lot of hard work has gone into the preparation. They are very serious and have been training for the last two to three months.

Every year the organizing clubs including, finish club and CYCA and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania present medallions to recognize 25 and 40 races by individuals. Interestingly, this year there will be an amazing 10 recipients of the 25 race medallion.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart’s race, unlike other international events presents the winner with a wrought sterling silver Tattersall’s Cup, rather than a cheque. The first was presented in the second Rolex Sydney Hobart Race in 1946 along with a Rolex Yacht-Master timepiece, which still lures sailors. Two of the strong runners for the IRC overall win are Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki and Darryl Hodgkinson’s Beneteau First 45 Victoire. The latter contender is firming her chances with an accurate timely win in Cabbage Tree Island Race that took place last weekend.

Jubilation was aplenty at the 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Wild Oats XI, designed by Reichel/Pugh and with an intrepid skipper in Mark Richards, outstripped all competition to win one of the most challenging Sydney-Hobart’s in a long time. Also, 51’ Secret Men’s Business, skippered by Geoff Boettcher, finally achieved its captain’s long-held ambition to win the coveted Tattersall’s Cup and was awarded the Overall IRC Winner of the 2010 Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race.

The Bob Oatley owned Wild Oats XI won the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht race as the elapsed time winner. It bested every other team in the fleet of 87 and continuously held top spot for the entire length of 628 miles, eventually finishing 30 miles ahead of the nearest rival. It has been a very consistent performance for Wild Oats XI, having its fifth Line Honor in six years. It has tucked quite a few records in its kitty with this win, being the highest number of Line Honors wins by a team for this event. It has also clocked a new record for the race of 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds. With all these records and achievements, Wild Oats XI seems to be all set to take centre stage in all the other upcoming events as well.  An interesting and somewhat ironic fact to ponder upon is that both Alfa Romeo and Wild Oats XI were crafted by McConaghy Boats in Sydney, Australia.

A lesser known but equally deserving candidate was the 51’ Secret Men’s Business 3.5, manned by Geoff Boettcher. His ‘girl’, as he fondly calls it, has won the coveted laurel of Overall IRC Winner in the 2010 Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race. Geoff Butcher, 63, who is also a supermarket owner has attempted the Rolex Sydney-Hobart race 21 times before in hopes of winning the illustrious Tattersall’s Cup.
No doubt, his hopes have finally been answered. Another worthy competitor, Bruce Taylor was placed 3rd in IRC as well as ORCI Division 2 with an elapsed time position of 20th. He was sailing aboard the 40’ Chutzpah, which is another Rachel/Pugh design wonder. Built by Hart Marine, it has the distinction of being placed 3rd in Class in 2009 along with 1st place Class victory in 2008.

It seems like Rachel/Pugh designs are working their magic on the sailing front after all. It can boast of a long line of winner yachts of its design.  Its list of designed yachts  comprises of some formidable winners like Wild Oats XI(Winner, Rolex Sydney-Hobart, 2005, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’10), Alfa Romeo 100 (Winner, Rolex Sydney-Hobart, 2009), Rambler (Winner, Rolex Middle Sea Race 2007, Rolex Buenos Aires- Rio de Janeiro 2008)  among others. Its designs have been wreaking havoc for other competitors in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart competitions. These events sponsored by Rolex have been consistent in delivering the best in sailing events, be it in setting world records in time or being the largest event of yacht racing, with participants from a wide variety of nationalities.

The Rolex Osprey Cup, scheduled for mid October, promises high voltage sailing action spread over three days. The tournament will be studded with some of the most talented women yachtswomen like defending Rolex Osprey Cup Champion and 2008 Olympian Giluia Conti (Toscolano Maderno, Italy), 2008 Olympian Anne-Claire Le Berre (Brest, FRA), US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics members Anna Tunicliffe (Plantation, Fla.) Molly Vandemoer (Redwood City, Calif.) and Debbie Capozzi (Bayport, N.Y.), world’s 1 ranked match racer Lucy MacGregor, and ISAF Rolex Sailor of the Year Claire Leroy (Nantes, FRA).

The Rolex Osprey Cup will be held immediately after the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship at the New York Yacht Club. The event becomes important because many teams will be hoping to use it as a springboard for the 2012 Olympics in England.  Pat Seidenspinner, principal race officer and co-chair with Tom Farquhar, said that the interest in the sport is at an all time high now and it is only going to get all the more interesting in the future.   She also said that in order to encourage spectator participation the race would be held near to the St. Petersburg Municipal Pier, which would afford prime viewing location for the tourist.

The format of the Rolex Osprey Cup consists of double round robin, knockouts, semi-final and final rounds scheduled at the end of the round robins. The winners win be awarded in a glittering ceremony at the Regatta Dinner.

The Rolex Osprey Cup was founded in 1996 and ever since then it has become one of the premier-most sailing competition for women. Recognizing the importance of the event, Rolex Watch U.S.A became the title sponsor in the year 2000. The competition is held each year in the middle of October, when it was cancelled because of the Rolex ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship.

Since 1958, when Rolex Watch U.S.A presented timepieces for the America’s Cup, Rolex has been constantly encouraging off shore sailing, competitive sailing, U.S Sailing championship, disabled sailing, and elite athlete preparation. Sailing is a highly specialized sport, involving endless patience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Rolex Watches encapsulates this never say die attitude of the sailor; each time piece a matchless blend of craftsmanship and elegance.

The Rolex Osprey Cup is a part of the Rolex Yachting Portfolio that includes 20 world class events spread across the globe. Some of the famous events include the Rolex Miami OCR, New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Rolex Fastnet Race, Rolex Farr 40 World Championship, New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, Rolex Big Boat Series, Rolex US-IRC National Championship, Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship and Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

With the winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and McConaghy Cup determined, the only category left without a winner was the overall IRC handicap. Andy Saies’ Two True won the coveted Tattersall’s Cup and emerged the overall IRC handicap winner by 42 minutes. Two True emerged the winner amidst controversy, protests and a hearing that ultimately went in its favor. Two True is one of the first yachts of its kind to be imported into Australia. Two True is a new Farr-designed Beneteau First 40 stock production cruiser. Andy Saies’ team managed to win the IRC overall by adopting the strategy of staying well east of the rhumbline. The First 40 won the IRC overall by 42 minutes from its closest rival Mike Welsh’s new First 40.

Two True has created history by becoming the first yacht from South Australia to win the Tattersall’s Cup since Kevan Pearce’s win in 2000. Two True has shown its commitment towards the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race along with other South Australians who sail 1,000 nautical miles just to be able to get to the start. Skipper and owner Andy Saies was extremely happy with the jury’s decision and his win at the overall IRC handicap. Andy Saies stated that he and his crew had done everything in their power to avert the disaster with the other boat. He further stated that he put forth his intentions to protest as he also did a 720 degree penalty turn even though the damage to the other boat was minor. Andy Saies went on to appreciate his team and crew and stated that without great teamwork, winning the regatta would not be possible.

Andy Saies stated that in order to win the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race a great team was a pre-requisite along with a great boat and some Sydney Hobart luck. The current crew aboard the Two True had been with Andy Saies for the past three years. Andy Saies competed twice earlier in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race with the same crew in his boat True North. Andy Saies also thanked his team and boat manager Brett Young for working tirelessly, ethically, with enthusiasm and a great understanding of the rules. The Skipper was also all praise for his boat; he stated that the new Beneteau was a great boat as it jumped out of the water each time. Looking back at the race, Andy Saies mentioned that the wind was very unpredictable and made them drift forward and backwards. Andy Saies also mentioned that there were times when they lost internet connectivity and did not know what to do until the very last minute. Team Two True is truly delighted about winning the regatta under the given circumstances as it was nothing less than winning a battle, first with the waves and later with the jury. Though Team Two True will have something extra to celebrate this New Year; however, they have already set their sights on the next regatta which is scheduled to take place in Melbourne.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has finally come to a conclusion amongst lots of anticipation and unpredictable weather conditions. All eyes were set on the three 100 footers who took part in the 628 nautical mile race that began at the Sydney Harbor and ended in Hobart. All bets were on the three McConaghy built supermaxis; Alfa Romeo, ICAP Leopard and Wild Oats XI; and it was quite evident from the very beginning that the winner would be one of the 100 footers. However, Alfa Romeo emerged as the clear winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race as well as the McConaghy Cup after braving the waves and making the most of the breeze in the regatta. Alfa Romeo has created history by becoming the first ever winner of the McConaghy Cup as this was the debut year for the award.

The McConaghy Cup has made its debut in the 2009 season of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in order to recognize the first McConaghy built boat to cross the finish line in Hobart. There were two awards lined up for McConaghy built boats this year – one for Line Honors and the other for the Handicap (overall) winner. McConaghy is the most trusted name in the sailing world and has been the maker of some of the fastest boats in the world. McConaghy is the proud maker of the boats that range from the Supermaxis to the Mach 2 Foiling Moths as well as everything in between. The McConaghy Cup was introduced by co-owners Jono Morris and Mark Evans to honor the historical battle of the most prolific winners in Maxi history, i.e. Wild Oats XI, ICAP Leopard and Alfa Romeo.

By making the best time and brilliant use of the breeze, Alfa Romeo grabbed the victory along with the McConaghy Cup. The McConaghy Cup was presented to skipper Neville Crichton, the owner of Alfa Romeo, by McConaghy’s co-owner Mark Evans. Mark Evans stated that the entire team at McConaghy was delighted for all the McConaghy built boats participating in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Mark Evans also stated that he would have liked to bestow Line Honors upon the trio of Neville Crichton, Bob Oatley and Mike Slade; however, it was Neville Crichton and Alfa Romeo’s day to celebrate.

The McConaghy Cup has a very innovative design as it is to be bestowed by the global leader in marine technology. Unlike the regular silver or glass cups, the McConaghy Cup is a carbon fibre powerboat steering wheel that can be used for the Maxi’s tender. Innovation is synonymous with McConaghy designs and they have taken innovation a step further in designing their prizes. Jono Morris, co-owner McConaghy, stated that coming up with innovative products and prizes is not only an integral part of their brand but is also an ode to their clients and the passion that they share for the sport. The McConaghy Cup was successful in adding an element of excitement to the already scintillating Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and was a delight for the fans as well as the crews.