Hi Guys,
Well its almost that time of year again, except this year I won't just be watching the Sydney Hobart from the shore as normal, but will be on trusty old Pla Loma IV competing with the rest of our crew.
If you want to keep tabs on the fleet then you can do so from the Yacht Tracker tab at the official website below:
http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/default.asp?key=0.1
If you set Pla Loma IV as one of your favourites then she'll show up with a green spinaker and can be easily differentiated from the rest of the fleet.
Its shaping up to be a great race and I can't wait as its my first Hobart. Here's a snippit from that website above to get you in the mood.
There's only one other guy in our crew who is also a first timer with the rest of them being old salty sea dogs with many a Hobart behind them. I just finished my Safety and Sea Survival course two weekends ago so know just how serious an undertaking this is.
Wish me luck, and I'll catch you on the far side!
Cheers,
Michael
PS If I stop posting suddenly around Christmas then at least a couple of members should be able to update the community as to what went wrong...
Well its almost that time of year again, except this year I won't just be watching the Sydney Hobart from the shore as normal, but will be on trusty old Pla Loma IV competing with the rest of our crew.
If you want to keep tabs on the fleet then you can do so from the Yacht Tracker tab at the official website below:
http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/default.asp?key=0.1
If you set Pla Loma IV as one of your favourites then she'll show up with a green spinaker and can be easily differentiated from the rest of the fleet.
Its shaping up to be a great race and I can't wait as its my first Hobart. Here's a snippit from that website above to get you in the mood.
The 628 nautical mile course is often described as the most gruelling long ocean race in the world, a challenge to everyone who takes part.
From the spectacular start in Sydney Harbour, the fleet sails out into the Tasman Sea, down the south-east coast of mainland Australia, across Bass Strait (which divides the mainland from the island State of Tasmania), then down the east coast of Tasmania. At Tasman Island the fleet turns right into Storm Bay for the final sail up the Derwent River to the historic port city of Hobart.
No matter the time of day or night, the first yacht to finish receives an escort of official, spectator and media boats as it sails towards the finish line.
Hundreds of people crowd the foreshores of Sullivans Cove to cheer the yachts and their crews while volunteers from the finishing club, the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, meet the weary crews with open arms and famous Tasmanian hospitality, and escort them to their berth in the Kings Pier marina.
It's an event that Tasmanians love to host in the middle of Hobart's Taste of Tasmania Festival.
Then it's time to celebrate or commiserate, swap yarns about the race with other crews over a few beers in Hobart's famous waterfront pubs such as the Customs House Hotel or the Rolex Sydney Hobart Dockside Bar.
There's only one other guy in our crew who is also a first timer with the rest of them being old salty sea dogs with many a Hobart behind them. I just finished my Safety and Sea Survival course two weekends ago so know just how serious an undertaking this is.
Wish me luck, and I'll catch you on the far side!
Cheers,
Michael
PS If I stop posting suddenly around Christmas then at least a couple of members should be able to update the community as to what went wrong...