THE RACING
East Australia Current, much of the fleet set spinnakers in rapid succession before slamming into a southerly front. With heinous seas left over from the fading northerly, south-setting current directly opposing the strong southerly breeze, and a near-instantaneous transition, the fleet began to sustain damage in rapid, wholesale fashion. Wild Oats XI retired after destroying their mainsail, Perpetual Loyal retired with rudder damage, and the American supermaxi Comanche announced their intent to retire with rudder, daggerboard and steering damage. In one fell swoop, the top contenders had all been knocked out and George David's American Juan Kdesigned 88-ft maxi Rambler 88 assumed the lead, with Syd Fischer's Ragamuffin 100 in second. In another shocking twist, Comanche's American skipper, Ken Read, announced a change of heart on board the supermaxi — they would effect repairs and in fact not retire. "We decided to punch on through," the determined Read said at the time. "We think we can get to Hobart safely... I don't care if we limp over the line. We are going to finish this damned race." Kenny, Kristy and the boys made good on their word and finished the race in grand style, claiming a dramatic and popular linehonors victory Patrick Boutellier of Rolex Australia presents 'Comanche's co-owner Kristy in Hobart, TasHinze-Clark with a watch for the line honors win. Hubby Jim, founder of mania. RagaNetscape, stands behind them, and skipper Ken Read holds the trophy. m u ff i n 1 0 0 ' s crew clawed their way back up to Rammanche, with the Bay Area's Stan Honey bler 88, just barely beating them over the navigating, lit the afterburners and took line. off down the New South Wales coast in By the time the dust settled, the an awe-inspiring display of raw power race had seen the highest attrition rate reminiscent of the 2014 start. Propelled in more than a decade, with just 77 by a brisk northeasterly wind and the
KURT ARRIGO / ROLEX
Rolex Sydney Hobart Race The latest edition in Australia's legendary Rolex Sydney Hobart Race will go down as one for the ages. From broken boats and dreams to thrilling racing, harrowing stories of repairs made at sea, and finally the sweet taste of success, the 71st race on Boxing Day had it all. The tone was set in Sydney Harbour, before the race even started, when the starting boat Aussie Legend began taking on water, forcing the dignitaries on board to transfer vessels. As soon as a backup boat started the race under horn instead of the traditional cannon, the battle began in earnest. Perennial line-honors winner Robert Oatley's 100-ft Wild Oats XI looked to have the fleet covered as the supermaxis at the head of the fleet short-tacked toward the Sydney Heads. Anthony Bell's Juan K 100 Perpetual Loyal forced Oats over on a port-starboard encounter, however, and stole the lead at the first turning mark. After turning the corner, Jim and Kristy Clark's VPLP 100 Co-
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Latitude 38
• February, 2016
BOTH PHOTOS KURT ARRIGO / ROLEX
This month we venture to race venues near and far, starting with far: Australia's boat-busting Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Closer to the San Francisco Bay Area Latitude 38 World Headquarters, we check in on the Corinthian Midwinters, Oakland YC Sunday Brunch Series and Sequoia YC Winter Series, and profile the Ultimate 20 fleet champions. With Race Notes we split town again.
of 108 entries reaching the finish line, further underscoring how challenging the conditions were. Paul Clitheroe's TP52 Balance claimed overall honors on handicap while the French entry of Gery Trentesaux's JPK 10.80 Courrier Leon claimed second overall — not a surprise to anyone who saw the same team prevail in the summer's Rolex Fastnet. For complete results and much more, see www.rolexsydneyhobart.com. A week and a half after the celebrations ended in Hobart, the entire Australian yachting community was saddened to learn that Bob Oatley — owner of Wild Oats XI — had passed away from a long illness at the age of 87. The businessman, wine magnate, yachtsman and philanthropist was loved Down Under and abroad, and was a major supporter of Australian yachting. As such, the Oatley family has indicated that they will continue to campaign his beloved supermaxi in his honor. — ronnie simpson Corinthian YC Midwinters A postponement on the first day of the 65th Corinthian Midwinters lasted 35 minutes, after which the 11 starts went off in orderly five-minute intervals. Saturday, January 16, started with adequate breeze that softened while
