Launching the race to the world

The media spotlight was on the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for the official Media Launch of the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Wednesday 23 November.

A panel of five skippers captured the diversity of competitors and boats this race attracts. Among them were the skippers of the 100-foot maxis Andoo Comanche and Black Jack – John Winning Jr and Mark Bradford – as well as one of the lead TP52s, Gweilo (co-owner/skipper Matt Donald).

By contrast, the two smallest boats in the race –Maluka and Currawong – sat proudly berthed on the CYCA Marina, as Peter Langman and Kathy Veel discussed the challenges of racing a 30-foot boat in one of the world’s most challenging ocean races.

Bradford anticipates a close race between the four 100-foot maxis, but backs Black Jack to hold onto the John H Illingworth Challenge Cup.

“We’re here to win, just like everyone else is here to achieve their goals,” he said. “We wouldn’t be doing it unless we thought we were in good shape to win.”

Meanwhile, Winning Jr is determined to continue the great legacy of Andoo Comanche.

“I have to honour the boat and do it justice; it’s had some fine form,” he said. “I certainly back myself to be as good as anyone.

“We have to be ambitious and bullish. I’ve got an amazing crew around me and we’re going to be pushing the boat as hard as we can to get the best result possible.”

Gweilo retired with forestay damage early on in the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart, but that won’t stop Donald going full throttle in pursuit of a maiden Tattersall Cup win.

“[The 52s] are in sight of each other the whole race. We will have to perform at our best every day,” he said.

Veel will sail two-handed with co-skipper Bridget Canham on her Currawong 30, Currawong. Read more about their story on page 29.

Veel admitted she is motivated to not be the last boat over the line, giving a cheeky glance to Maluka skipper Langman.

Langman, now 29, skippered Maluka in his first ever Rolex Sydney Hobart as an 18-year-old in 2011.

“Maluka has a pretty special place in my heart,” Langman said. “Whenever I finish a race on Maluka I feel it is an accomplishment. That is what dragged me back to the race.

“She is a safe boat and we are all pretty confident she will get there in one piece, she is in great condition.”

They may have different expectations of the time they’ll spend at sea, but these five boats share an ambition to sail the race of their lives.