THE RACING
cliffs to watch the start. The race was born in 1945, right after the end of World War II, with one man's desire to take his family on a cruise to Hobart, Tasmania. John Illingworth, who was invited to come along with his boat, said, "Yes, but let's make a race out of it." It has been said that "The Rolex Sydney Hobart has cured many a sailor of their desire to ocean race." For any ocean racer, it is a rite of passage that few get the opportunity to participate in and even fewer finish. For the veteran with more then 10 Hobarts under his keel, like our skipper Ted Tooher, it's a way of life. For me, doing it a second time was an opportunity to bring my racing friends and family and share with them the opportunity to be a part of one of the most challenging ocean races in the world. Our race started more than a year ago, when, as I always do, I watched the start of the Hobart and tracked the race
CHANCELLOR
Bay Area Sailors in Sydney Hobart The Rolex Sydney Hobart is considered to be one of the most challenging ocean races in the world, and this year's race not only reconfirmed that but also led to an amazing new record. Perpetual Loyal set the new record of 1 day, 13 hours, 31 minutes, almost five hours faster than the standing record. The race is 628 miles long, and the requirements for a boat to qualify are stringent. Each team must have 50% crew with previous Category 1 race experience, along with two medical officers, two radio officers and a $10-million insurance policy. It is also required that 50% of the crew have taken a certified Safety at Sea course. Starting on Boxing Day, December 26, at 1 p.m., 100 boats square off in three separate starting boxes in Sydney Harbour. The boats are surrounded by an estimated 700,000 people who come out to watch the start from land, air
The entire 'Chancellor' crew at Customs House. You have not finished the Rolex Sydney Hobart until you have passed through Customs House. "Tradition is that as soon as the boat is tied to the wharf you walk straight to customs in your foulies for a drink, and customs will accommodate you, as they are open 24/7 for the five days of the race," says watch captain Mike Reed.
and sea. For the Aussies, it is a national pastime. It is their summer, and, with a picnic basket full of leftovers from last night's Christmas dinner, they line the warm, sunny beaches and tall, breezy Page 90 •
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on the Internet. Having always wanted to do it a second time, I called Ted Tooher, with whom I raced in 2010, and asked for a ride. His boat, the Beneteau 47.7 Chancellor, had just finished the 2015
MIKE REED
Bay Area sailors race from Sydney to Hobart, multiple Midwinters are threatened by storms, but Golden Gate YC's Seaweed Soup, the Corinthian Midwinters and Encinal's Jack Frost don't miss a beat — although Long Beach YC's Two Gates Pursuit Race tours only one harbor, not two. A trio of Race Notes brings up the rear.
race. Ted's oilskins were still wet when I called, so I was fearful that I was calling too soon. Fearful as if I were asking a new mother if she wished she was having twins. But to my delighted surprise he replied, "Sure mate, let's race 2016, but why don't you bring some of your American mates and we will treat them to a real race." Our crew consisted of four Bay Area sailors, a fine English lass whom I met racing the Fastnet last year, and seven Australians who would be the backbone of our team. We arrived two weeks prior to the start of the race and spent a lot of time on the water and exploring the pubs. On Christmas Day we did what every good Aussie does and filled ourselves full of seafood. Boxing Day started with the Rolex weather briefing. The forecast downwind 15 knots would build to 35 knots from the northeast and was expected to last for 36 hours. A racer's dream — building downwind pressure in warm water and clear skies. But first we had to get to our boat, which would be no easy feat, as the docks were filled with thousands of spectators and any wrong move would surely send someone into the water. Slowly we made our way to Chancel-
