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A birthday celebration and fine sailing on Rum Bucket

Home 2025 A birthday celebration and fine sailing on Rum Bucket

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Rum Bucket, one of the four Kiwi starters in the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart had their fair share of sea sickness on the first two days in the race, but having got through that and the harsh southerlies that kicked up an angry sea, the crew are enjoying some fine sailing and celebrated a birthday on board.

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Time & Date: 29/12/2025 – 0630 hours (65.5 hours after the start) 

Jo Clarke, one of Quintin Fowler’s crew on the More 55 designed Rum Bucket, reported early in the race: “Go for a sail down the coast of Australia they say… It’s really uncomfortable and tough on the body because of the big, confused seas. We’ve had lot’s of sea sickness.” 

Clarke reported it had been blowing 35 knots “and we’re wet through. We have a bit of boat and sail damage – this was not in the brochure! 

“We just cooked lasagne for dinner and the smell set a few people off – and the rest can’t face it now!” 

Fast forward to late yesterday afternoon in Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s annual race and it was a completely different story aboard. 

Scott Dickson at the helm - Rum Bucket pic.

“The seas have flattened out, the sun is shining, all the crew gear and sails are out in the sun drying – the boat has been put back together after the first two brutal days of sailing,” Clarke said. 

“We’ve bailed water out of every locker – inside and out. Then it was slow cooked beef pies for the boys and leek and camembert pie for me. Happy days – it was the best pie I’ve ever had,” said the effervescent Clarke, who is the lone female aboard Rum Bucket.  

Clarke said the Rum Bucket crew was sad to hear of their fellow Kiwi boats, V5 and Vixen retiring. “We hope all the crew are well and safe,” she said.  

Last night Clarke said, “It’s been glorious out here on watch with these guys. Quintin is on the helm, Tim’s (Jeffery) on the main, Jared (Haslemore) and Scott (Dickson) are trimming. Who would have thought after the first 48 hours…” 

Birthday boy Nick Wells - Rum Bucket pic.

Nick Wells’ birthday was celebrated during the surprisingly benign conditions across Bass Strait. The crew tucking into a fresh baked chocolate and cream cake – no freeze dried cardboard on this yacht. 

“It was a very special moment, as this is the second time Nick’s had his birthday with Quintin on the Rolex Sydney Hobart.” 

Its glorious out here on watch with these guys Quintin on the helm, Tim on main, Jared and Scott trimming. Who would have thought after the last 48 hours. We’ve had a lovely sunset. 

We celebrated Nick Wells’ birthday going across Bass Strait. Nick (co-skipper) has sailed many miles with Quintin and done a lot of two handed racing. A very special moment as this is the second time has had his birthday with Quintin on the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. 

Navigator Andrew Hall doing his thing - Rum Bucket pic.

Our navigator, Andrew Hall, stays tucked into the nav station on Rum Bucket. He’s hardly left his lap top, feeding our two watched information about the weather, current, the boats going around us, what’s up ahead, skeds, the official listening watch – and he comes on deck for sail changes. 

“And that’s just the tip of it. All the analysing he’s doing, it’s going towards a team effort of getting us to where we are in the fleet.” 

Clarke added, “Oh – and Scott Dickson is at the helm on his first Sydney Hobart. He’s the brother of the famous America’s Cup sailor, Chris Dickson.” 

At 9am, Rum Bucket was well placed in Line Honours, in 29th position and was in sixth place in Division 2. It is currently due to reach the finish line tomorrow morning after 7.30am where officials from the race’s finishing partner, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, will be there to take Rum Bucket’s finish time.  

Di Pearson/RSHYR media