Better than Sex?

Better than Sex? Well, probably not, but it came pretty close! The Sydney to Hobart race was definitely an adrenalin pumping, action packed, physical and emotional high. It started with the parade of sails in Sydney harbour with all the maxi boats showing off their beautiful sails. One day, when I am big, I would love to be a crewmember on one of those (lots to learn still before that will happen!). We showed off our fleet of Clipper boats underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera house. It was such a proud moment and one I never thought would be possible.

My dream to do the Sydney to Hobart started when I was on holiday in Tasmania about six years ago. It was New Year's Eve and we wandered around the marina where all the yachts that had completed the race were moored. The vibe was electric and all the race crews were celebrating their success. I sensed then that merely completing the race was an achievement. I wanted to be a part of one of those crews, but at that stage of my life it seemed but a distant dream. 

The day Clipper announced that our race would include the Sydney to Hobart I was ecstatic!  But I couldn't have anticipated how thrilling it could turn out to be, especially the start.  With so many boats in the harbour, being amidst all those sailing stars, watching the commotion of all the yachts scampering for the start line, hearing all the commands and shouting between boats to stay clear of each other, the leaning over and the wind in our ears, and then the excitement and exertion of the evolutions on our boat to stay in the thrust of things, it was magical. I don't have enough adjectives to describe it and surely it was the most fun I've had with my clothes on. I loved it!

The rest of the race was no disappointment either.  Showing my crew mates the coast line close to my house, Stanwell Park where we used to do paragliding, the coastal hike to Bundeena from Otford, the bridge at Coalcliff that I have walked countless times with my darling dog, Calca, and my favourite lookout point where I've pondered life with a special person, and then further down past Kiama, Jervis bay, and beyond. Having land to use as a reference provided a pleasant change from sailing so many oceans with only sea surrounding us. 

The weather was typical Sydney to Hobart, with Bass Straight especially living up to its reputation. It was wild and very hard on the body. We pounded into the waves and the wind was overpowering. It was cold, and we raced with everything in us. Arriving in Hobart and tacking up the Derwent river was especially physically demanding. I'm sure we did about 50 tacks! (Okay, allow me some writer's freedom!)

Being part of those boats docked in the King's Pier Marina, partying with the other teams on Old Year's Eve, sharing our war stories, and feeling part of a group of very special people who completed a classic world famous yacht race, gave me that 'after-action-satisfaction' smile as I wore and earned my Rolex Sydney to Hobart t-shirt!