1953 Race Recap

Ripple, 1953 Sydney Hobart Handicap Winner

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1953

Twenty-four yachts, the second largest fleet ever, started in the Ninth Sydney to Hobart Race. Out of all these yachts, Ripple, competing in her second race, took the handicap trophies with a course time of 5 days 12 hours 58 minutes and 36 seconds.  A mishap at the start, involving Wild Wave, Joesphine, Kurrewa III, Horizon and Nimbus, caused considerable. consternation but no serious damage was done and the fleet got on their way, Josephine leading from Wraith of Odin and Ruthean at the Heads.  For the next 24 hours all yachts made excellent time in the medium north-easterly breeze.  Shortly after mid-day on the second day a viscious southerly gale hit the fleet with very little warning. 

The leaders, Wild Wave, Ruthean and Nell Gwywn were the first to experience it.  Shortened down to storm canvas the fleet battled south between Montague Island and Eden. The wind held till soon after midnight when it began to ease allowing more sail to be carried.  The wind lightened off more as the day wore on till later it went to the north-east, backing to north-west then veering again.  Crews were kept busy gybing ail night long. 

Well down the Tasmanian coast, Wild Wave was leading with Solveig and Kurrewa III about 90 miles to seaward of her.  However, only twenty miles behind was Ripple, one of the babies of the fleet, in fourth position.These placing remained unchanged till Tasman Island was rounded when the light weather flyer, Josephine, passed first of all Ripple and then Kurrewa III but could not get the leaders, Wild Wave and Soiveig.  Before Ripple crossed the line she was passed by Ruthean and Horizon but had enough time up her sleeve to beat Solveig on handicap by 1 hour 27 minutes and 25 seconds. 

Wild Wave, first to the flnish, was disqualifled for a breach of the rules at the start and Solveig was declared first home. 

Race Program

Prior to each race Cruising Yacht Club of Australia publishes a separate official race program (with details of competing boats, the results of past races and articles about the race and its participants and other important events).  The 1953 Edition, which also contains the Sailing Instructions, is here.    

Weather

Started in good NE breeze.  Southerly gale on second day then wind swung back to NE and NW and held to finish.

Race Report

After the 1953 race, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's magazine Seacraft contained a report on the race.  Access it here. 

Media Reports

Read a news article on the win by Ripple from the Mercury, 2 January 1954 and another on the outcome of the protest involving Wild Wave here.