โThere was obviously a review and an investigation into the tragic loss of life last year and there have been some quite significant changes,โ overall winner and commodore of the CYCA, Sam Haynes, said. โWeโre always looking at trying to improve the safety in the sport in any case but there [were] some specifics which came to the attention of the club and the racing community.โ
The changes include mandating that every crew member wear a man overboard detection system on top of the already required personal locator beam. It is also now required that at least 50 per cent of each crew complete their vesselโs qualifying race.
Who will win?
Last year, LawConnect won line honours after skipper Christian Beck described the first night of the race as the worst experience heโs ever had sailing. The yacht has won line honours for the last two years and five-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe has joined the crew this year.
Beck isnโt too confident about his chances to claim a third straight win.
โLast year obviously Comanche ripped their main sail in half, and weโre probably unlikely to be that lucky again this year because those mistakes happen, but they are quite rare,โ he said.
Haynes is the defending overall winner aboard Celestial V70, winning last year by the second-largest margin in the history of the Tattersall Cup.
โUltimately, if I can hold that trophy above my head โ which is not as easy as it looks, I must say as I dropped it last yearโ but, if I can get that chance again Iโll be grabbing it for sure,โ he said.
How to watch the race
The race will be broadcast on Channel 9, but the start can be viewed from plenty of spots along the harbour.
If youโre north of the bridge, Georges Head Lookout, Mosmanโs Obelisk Battery or the North Head Lookout should all provide a glimpse of the fleet, while Nielsen Park, Watsons Bay and Hornby Lighthouse, South Head, Christison Park and Lady Bay Beach should do the same for those looking for a spot south of the Harbour Bridge.
Alternatively, if youโre keen on a swim, any eastern suburbs beaches south of the heads should offer a view of the passing yachts too.
