You never forget your first Hobart

It should be second time lucky for Hasta la Vista and its crew which has many family ties.

Jess will co-skipper alongside her twin brother Tom, under the guidance of their father Richard – a veteran of 30 Sydney Hobarts.

Following Hasta la Vista’s late withdrawal ahead of the 2021 race, Tom was able to jump on Sam Haynes’ TP52 Celestial for his first Hobart – a very impressive one for both Celestial and Tom.

This race has always been a major part of the Grimes’ lives.

“Both of my parents are successful offshore racers, with Mum also completing five Sydney Hobarts,” Jess said. “They actually met when both navigating onboard Fujitsu Dealers in the 1989 Hobart.

After a false start in 2021, Jess Grimes is raring to go for her first ever Rolex Sydney Hobart.

The Grimes family bought the Sydney 38 Hasta la Vista last year and attempted to get the boat ready for Boxing Day in just a few weeks.

But time proved the enemy as a result of keel damage which was unable to be fixed in time for the race.

“Listening to their stories growing up made me really excited - and a bit nervous - to complete the race when I had the right opportunity. I never thought I would have the opportunity to do it on our own boat with Dad and Tom.

“Tom and I love sailing together and have a really good team dynamic.

“It’s special and close to my heart to be able to do my first Hobart with them both and particularly Dad, even though I’m sure he will be still doing Hobarts in his eighties!”

Jess and Tom have shared many special moments together on water, including being crowned Youth Match Racing World Champions in 2019.

Jess also competed on board Tim Ryan’s Vamos at the J/70 World Championship in Monaco this year and credits the YSA for much of her development.

“The YSA is the best sailing program I have been involved in,” she said. “When I first joined in 2016 I was on the verge of quitting sailing for good, but decided to give one year in the Advanced Squad a go.

“The tremendous amount of support afforded by Pam [Scrivenor], Jordan [Reece] and the Club of their youth athletes is unparalleled. The squad has not only made me a better athlete, but I have also made my best mates there.

“The squad also does a great job of integrating you with Club Members for further opportunities in yachting.”

Hasta la Vista is one of five Sydney 38s competing in the race, alongside Cinquante, Eye Candy, Mondo and Poulpito.

“We have a great and experienced crew on Hasta la Vista this year for the race,” Jess said.

“I expect to learn a lot from them and hopefully perform well stacked against the other Sydney 38s.

“As long as the party is still in full swing when we arrive, I will be stoked with our performance.

“Dad has given Tom and I plenty of wisdom throughout the years, but he says that Hobart races are pretty simple - turn right out of Sydney Heads and don’t hit Australia.”

First race revelry

Fellow YSA Alumni Tom Barrington picked a tough year to make his Rolex Sydney Hobart debut.

He was on board Kevin Whelan’s Beneteau 45f5 Reve for the 2021 race.

After enduring the rough conditions that led to many retirements in the first 36 hours, Tom and Reve had plenty more sailing remaining.

Reve was the penultimate boat over the line after more than five-and-a-half days at sea, taking in the New Year’s Eve fireworks from a perfect vantage point as she approached the finish line.

“The first 36 hours was a bit of a blur,” Tom recalls. “You just do your job and do the best you can.

“We ended up in three sets of watches – four hours on deck, four hours sailing the boat and four hours sleep. It was a bit of everything, whatever needed to be done.

Tom, also an experienced match racer, hadn’t planned on moving into offshore racing. But although he won’t be doing the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart, he will certainly be adding to his tally in future.

“Offshore sailing was something I never thought I’d want to do,” he said. “I tried a couple of the short races to Bondi or Botany Bay and back, then I did a few longer ones.

“I’m surprised I enjoyed it, but I did.”

Tom’s abiding memory from his first race was the electrifying start on Sydney Harbour.

“It was everything I imagined and more,” he said. “The start was impressive; watching the spectator fleet, it was a real spectacle.

“I’ve watched the start a number of times. It was a hell of an experience being part of it and it made it feel really special. It felt like you were doing something important.”

Tom’s sage advice to those preparing for their first Hobart? “Stay warm!”

Good luck to all Youth Sailing Academy products heading south this year.