Cruising Division for 60th anniversary

• NEWS
• 21 Oct, 2004 07:37:00 AM

Cruising Division for 60th anniversary

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is working with representatives of its own Cruising Group to identify the key issues for cruising boats.

The announcement of a new Cruising Division for the 60th Anniversary Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is ideal for a group of Western Australian sailors who are serious about enjoying their cruising but also want to experience the challenge of the bluewater classic for the first time.

Gil Waller, a semi-retired commercial boat broker whose sons “work to support Dad’s sailing habits,” according to younger son Simon, will skipper his 53-foot cruising boat Natsumi with Simon, 27, his brother Matthew, 29, plus five other WA crew for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race which will start at 1.00pm Boxing Day, December 26, from Sydney Harbour.

“All of us have wanted to compete in a Rolex Sydney Hobart Race and the new Cruising Division will give us the opportunity to sail the 628 nautical mile race the way we enjoy but to also be part of the atmosphere created by the race fleet in Hobart,” says Simon.

Natsumi is an experienced cruising boat which has completed passages to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Queensland as well as organised cruising races from its home in Fremantle to Lombok, Geraldton and Darwin.

A second cruising division entry, Lake Macquarie yachtsman Mike Kelaher, is philosophical about why he has entered his Swan 43 Santana for its eighth race to Hobart. “For me, it’s about the journey rather than the destination, although sailing up the Derwent River and into Constitution Dock is the thrill of a lifetime,” he admits.

“The battle for line honours is important to many but not for us. It’s about spending the maximum amount of time on the water sailing with friends and appreciating the beauty of the coastline while still joining in the celebrations at the end of the race.

”There is room for both in this event,” he adds.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is working with representatives of its own Cruising Group to identify the key issues for cruising boats.  An information sheet addressing those issues will be issued shortly and made available via the race website www.rolexsydneyhobart.com

“In that information sheet we hope to address eligibility issues, the safety requirements for cruising boats and the scoring system,” says Commodore Martin James.

“We are also trying to assist potential cruising entries now by creating a register of owners who have suitable liferafts that could be made available for cruising boats”.

Currently Cruising Division boats are allowed to carry a minimum of four crew, rather than six as required by the racing boats, and have the option to seek dispensation if not carrying an HF radio.