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First Light’s navigator talks weather, sail repairs and sea sickness

Home 2025 First Light’s navigator talks weather, sail repairs and sea sickness

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Elizabeth Tucker’s Class40 First Light is the only yacht in the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet with an all-women crew. At 0830 on Sunday 28 December the yacht was east off Merimbula on NSW’s South Coast. Navigator Annie Stevenson, racing in her first Sydney Hobart, took time out of her busy schedule to share how the yacht and crew have progressed. She reflects on challenging weather, sea sickness, and the small moments that have lifted morale on board, from mini pancakes to visits from albatrosses.

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Stevenson (far right) and the First Light Crew at the Sydney Race Village Women in Sailing event - CYCA/Ashley Dart pic.

How was last night?

Last night was pretty full on, the wind and gusts were pretty consistently in the 30s [30 knots]. We were trying to protect the boat and crew from damage and injuries and went offshore a little where the gusts weren’t as bad.

An air-borne First Light - ROLEX/Andrea Francolini pic.

Have the conditions eased?

The conditions have just started easing, maybe an hour or two ago. It got down to around 18 knots of breeze but still confused seas.

How are you and how is the crew going?

We’re all doing well, seasickness got to some of us on the first night and day, with sailing into the swell. Only our OBR [on board reporter] hasn’t been sick and she was the one we were initially worried about. I think most people struggled in the transition between going up on deck and resting below - just the change in movement and temperature. But not a single person has missed their watch!

The First Light crew hope to enter Bass Strait tonight - ROLEX/Andrea Francolini pic.

How’s the boat been going? Any damage? Is it relatively dry down below?

First Light is all dry below, a couple of us have been sleeping on spinnakers in our wet weather gear so that’s made them slightly soggy but all good other than that. We were just switching sails as the pressure eased but Za [Elizabeth Tucker] ended up needing to go up the rig to untwist the halyard as it wasn’t dropping. It had gotten twisted during the hoist in the rough conditions.

What’s been the snack or drink of choice to help you get through the challenging times?

We have mini pancakes which have been great, just bland enough to not make you sick but sweet enough that you actually want to eat them. We also have these hydrolyte shots which are always a favourite. Anything we can keep down and isn’t too hard to come back up…

Has it been uncomfortable down at the navigator’s desk?

We don’t really have a navigator’s desk, so it’s been interesting. We have a main station but you kind of have to lay in front of it which when the boat is heeling is pretty awkward. We use the tablets mainly, which you can take around the boat with you, so that’s made it slightly more comfortable.

Has the crew been able to get much rest in the rough sea state?

I think we’re all pretty tired, but the watch system is in good swing and people are able to get three hours of sleep during the day before going back up for three hours.

What’s does the forecast look like for the next day or so?

It’s looking like it’s easing closer to the shore, and the main system/high wind pressure is behind us now. We’re looking forward to the wind shifting to the east and north east but will be interesting to see where that happens first, looks like we might start seeing it later tonight - before heading into Bass Strait.

Any funny stories you’d like to share?

With the conditions being rough we lost a wind instrument from the top of the mast. We only noticed this as a seasick Bayley Taylor was looking up at the sky to help with the discomfort.

Stevenson (second from right) and some of the First Light crew after the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race -CYCA/Ashley Dart pic.

Any visits from bird or marine life?

We saw a sun fish (or we saw a big fin which wasn’t a shark) on the way out the heads which was cool. And we’re enjoying the birds, there was an albatross not long ago which isn’t something we usually get to see.

Anything else to add?

The conditions are tough but we’re still in it and looking forward to getting our kites up on the downwind!

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Greta Quealy/RSHYR media