CYCA Life Member David Champtaloup, owner of the Robert Clark design Caprice of Huon, reflects on the 2021 Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta.

It blew and the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race heritage of the fleet was there to be seen by all who were out on the water.

We raced in 30+ knots from the South on Saturday, with a flooding tide against wind and a confused swell rolling through the Heads. It was notable, although not surprising, that the boats placing in all three divisions appeared remarkably well ordered in both their sail choice and in the way they were sailed.

They looked so good that this viewer imagined all nine boats, with some extra sandwiches on board, turning right out of the Heads once again for another race to Hobart.

Caprice of Huon sailed with a #3 and a single reef, with the second ready to be dropped in. There was lots of water flying around and we would have been happier in the gusts with the second reef, however, a joy of sailing a solid displacement long keel yacht is that she tends to hold her course through the gusts and you soon find yourself on the other side with decent boat speed and ready to get back to “normal” sailing.

The pursuit start meant we were chasing the well sailed Camille and a buttoned-down Suraya for the last couple of legs. We got to the first but couldn’t come close to Suraya.

Racing in Sunday’s 20+ knots from the S to SSE was a reminder of the Les McCann and Eddie Harris classic, “Compared to What”. It was a great sailing breeze and the first beat south from Cannae Point showed the Harbour at its finest.

Congratulations to the divisional winners Eve, Zara and Nirvana. We hope to see everyone back again for the CYCA Great Veterans Race on Saturday 14 May 2022.