2009 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race

[philwillmedia]

G'day all,

Spent Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour for the start of the 64th Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race.
Line honours were taken by Alfa Romeo, breaking a 4 year stranglehold on the race by another Super-Maxi, Wild Oats XI which finished two hours behind.

C&C Welcome

ICAP Leopard on her way to the start line.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4224267369_f2090f43f5_o.jpg

Champion swimmer, Grant Hackett and World Champion Boxer, Danny Green were part of the crew on Investec Loyal
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4225037692_573d398ef8_o.jpg

Outright contender Wild Oats XI shortly before the start
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4225036070_c8b9e1819d_o.jpg

Eventual winner, Alfa Romeo has trouble setting her kite (spinnaker) moments after the race start.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4225036154_81120cef25_o.jpg

Shortly after the start, the larger yachts and line honours contenders already have their spinnakers set.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4224268757_bfdac6e22a_o.jpg

With their kites set, the race is on between Alfa Romeo and ICAP Leopard to be the first out of Sydney Heads
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/4224267883_c0d6377d86_o.jpg

Spectator craft shadow the yachts as they make the run up Sydney Harbour to the heads
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With the super-maxi's already out of Sydney Heads, the bulk of the fleet begins the trek down the east coast of Australia heading for Hobart.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4225037220_43707f9ffc_o.jpg

[Roy Webber]

Hi Phil, It looks like a great event, but I thought Australia was always sunny :_)

[philwillmedia]

...but I thought Australia was always sunny :_)

Not always Roy, especially when a cyclone (they call them hurricane's in your parts) turns into a rain depression the weather usually turns to cr@p...but some of the farmers aren't complaining. It's dumped rain in places that haven't seen any for two years and rivers that became dry years ago are now in flood.
And in Adelaide where I am it was 35C today (95F) and will be hotter tomorrow - 39C (102F)

But I think I'd rather what we've got than some of what's been happening in the US and UK

[Roy Webber]

Not always Roy, especially when a cyclone (they call them hurricane's in your parts) turns into a rain depression the weather usually turns to cr@p...but some of the farmers aren't complaining. It's dumped rain in places that haven't seen any for two years and rivers that became dry years ago are now in flood.
And in Adelaide where I am it was 35C today (95F) and will be hotter tomorrow - 39C (102F)

But I think I'd rather what we've got than some of what's been happening in the US and UK
Hi Phil,

Wow, 39c!

Its winter here in the Canaries, and still a pleasant 24c :-)

[X-images]

Nice shots Phil. I really must get over there and do that race as both a photographer and as a sailor one day!