Air Force sailor tilts at Hobart

By the rail MAJ Dave Barton, MIDN Jonathan Beatty. Standing Watch Leader LCDR Paul Garai, MS Tanya Howe, CPO Stephen Phelps, Watch Leader CAPT Peter Tolchard, Skipper LCDR Paul Jones and Sailing Master FLTLT Rob Saunders. Photograph by LSPH Damian Pawlenko

Flight Lieutenant Rob Saunders doesn't look confused; however, his 23-year open-ocean and coastal racing experience, on vessels from sabots to yachts, is in marked contrast to his professional life.

Taking part in his fifth Sydney to Hobart recently, Rob spoke to Air Force News about the crew and boat, and the special nature of the race.

The 'tough' reputation of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race throughout the racing fraternity reaches internationally. It pits skipper, crew and boat, against conditions that have become synonymous with 'the Strait'.

The ADF entrant 2001, the Lady Penrhyn is a manageable 36.5 feet, with a draft of 6.6 feet. At five tons, the vessel is relatively lightweight; however, the design by Ken Swarbrick from Western Australia was strengthened in construction and her rigging reinforced, given her need for speed.

FLTLT Saunders commented, 'Lady Penrhyn is one of a few yachts I'm very comfortable (sailing) in heavy weather' - and a sailor's belief in their vessel under these conditions is paramount.

The Space Sailor 36' has a fibreglass hull and berths a crew of eight. The crew for the race numbered just that, prior to an unscheduled port of call. One member alighted with a chronic bout of seasickness; and for those who've never experienced it - a foul and unrelenting illness.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia regulations state 50 per cent of a crew must have racing experience; the Penrhyn sported five, however, the crew pulled together with training runs in the Bird and Cabbage Tree Island races, including several weekends and a full week prior to Christmas.

'Rather than push the boat and crew like a professional racing outfit, the crew are pushed within their safe limit, given the training environment. The race gives people the offshore racing experience they wouldn't be otherwise able to get,' said Rob.

Penrhyn tracked weather reports via HF radio. Conditions were rough with 38 knots in the initial stages, so indications the yacht should make for open water proved correct, skipper and crew sailing approximately 50 nm offshore till they reached Tasman Island.

Bass Strait, this voyage, proved somewhat of a bay sail for a skipper, LCDR Paul Jones and a sail master who've seen those southerly busters rip the water into a life-threatening frenzy.

'We cruised nicely with a full main; number one across Bass Strait, till we got across - put up the spinnaker, which carried us for 14 hours to Tasman Island. It was groovy.'

Penryhn played radio relay because the official radio relay vessel 'Starlight Express' had broken down and was unable to contact some of the fleet bringing up the rear. Running repairs were made to minor breakages during the kind sea voyage, and the yacht reached a devilish 11.9 knots - top speed.

Lady Penrhyn sailed up the Derwent River to make Hobart at 1015 hours on 31 December. The race was a two-in-one affair for the ADF yacht, with the Aussies out sailing the NZDF contingent by 120 nautical miles.

'For me, it's the challenge - of not just doing well, but completing the race. For a lot of people like ourselves, it's the challenge of making it to Hobart, because there are a lot of professional yachts which don't,' said Rob. 'And the warm reception by the Tasmanians, whether you come first or last; everyone gets a huge reception.'

Thanks go to sponsors, the Defence Reputation Systems and Recruitment Communication, Public Affairs and Corporate Communication who provided the spinnaker and crews' clothing.

For those inspired to join in, Northsail 2002 will be selecting crew for various legs of the Sydney to Whitsunday return next month, with details in the next edition of Air Force News.

Story by Amber McKinnon