The Power of Two: Young, Bucks

• NEWS
• 29 Dec, 2007 02:30:00 PM

The Power of Two: Young, Bucks

Nathan Buckley and Bill Young came to this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from different football codes: one an elegant running Australian Rules athlete with a precision pass; the other a bullocking prop forward who was on the park the day in 2003 that Jonny Wilkinson tore the heart out of Australian rugby with a field goal to win the rugby union World Cup.

Nathan Buckley and Bill Young came to this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from different football codes: one an elegant running Australian Rules athlete with a precision pass; the other a bullocking prop forward who was on the park the day in 2003 that Jonny Wilkinson tore the heart out of Australian rugby with a field goal to win the rugby union World Cup.

Today Nathan Buckley and Bill Young sailed into Hobart on different Volvo 60s within half an hour of each other, shook hands on the dock and declared their experiences unforgettable. Young says he'll be back; Buckley will think about it.

Buckley was captain courageous of the Collingwood Football Club and the 2003 Brownlow medallist for the game's best and fairest. In this year's race he sailed on Hugo Boss II, which won line honours in the race in 2001 as Assa Abloy.

Young was a grinder on George Gregan Foundation, the former djuice dragon, which was built as a training boat for the 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race around the world.

This year they joined battle with a third Volvo 60, DHL - The Daily Telegraph. Only 55 seconds separated DHL – The Daily Telegraph and Hugo Boss II when they crossed the finish line in Hobart today. George Gregan Foundation was 27 minutes back.

Young Collingwood fans lined the dock to see Hugo Boss tie up and to catch sight of their hero. Buckley was elated about the reception and the race.

"It was fantastic. My expectations going in were [of it being] a little bit wild and woolly," he said.

"We did have some pretty fast conditions at times but there were a few lulls in it. They were a fantastic crew. They made me feel a part of it and I really enjoyed the experience.

"It was very strong last night. It was rather like throwing a jet ski around the surf."

Buckley said the last night at sea, when they were making close to 30 knots, he gave up his sleep down below to sit on the side and watch.

He had had little preparation for the race.

"Half a day on Port Phillip Bay a year ago, three days on Sydney Harbour and a day outside the heads leading up to the start of the race," Buckley said.

"A lot of sailors out there would be very angry with me because I have come in very lightly raced and had an experience a lot of sea people would love to have but I have had the privilege of having that opportunity.

"It definitely took me out of my comfort zone.

"I was at the mast, on the grinder at times, and I was also very good ballast.

"I don't know whether I would do it again. The three days blur into one another a bit. The adrenalin side when you are in the moment is pretty close to it. I just enjoyed the experience."

Why did he do it?

"I love experiencing new things. There are so many choices I have made, the sacrifices to do my chosen profession over the past 15 years. I wouldn't have done it when I was playing for risk of injury. It's a fantastic event on the Australian calendar and to have the opportunity of being part of it has been something I will always remember. Sailing at 25 knots, blokes body surfing on the waves coming over the bow; when there was mayhem on the deck…I just sat quietly out of the way.

He was hesitant about committing to another race.

"I would do it again, well I may, but whether the opportunity avails itself and whether I am ready to take it up is at least a year away. I am just happy to have got here and to have enjoyed the experience."

Young was almost disappointed that sailing conditions had been favourable. He thinks he might have another crack. He said he had no trouble with seasickness, probably because of the fast, running conditions on the first night with the north-easterlies coming down the NSW coast, which allowed the eight race novices on board George Gregan Foundation to get used to the motion of the boat.

"[The physical exertion] was a lot more difficult than I expected," Young said, "Three days on the water on your legs, non-stop, they sort of knocked me about. On the pumps all the time. Eleven or 12 hours on the pumps.

"I am looking forward to doing another one, possibly in more difficult conditions."

His highlight was last night.

"We were well behind Hugo Boss and DHL - The Daily Telegraph last night and the way (skipper) David Witt drove our boat is just astonishing. To be doing 28 knots in just 25 knots of wind, it was just amazing," Young said.

On corrected time, DHL – The Daily Telegraph comfortably beat George Gregan Foundation and Hugo Boss II. Though they are of the same design, each has been modified since 2001.