Boxing Day in Australia.

Apr 10, 2010
117
Catalina 310 166 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
In the British Columbia interior is a town called Williams Lake. They do not celebrate Boxing Day but rather celebrate Wrestling Day instead, as has been their custom for many years.
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,813
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I was interested in the summation.
In 1956, the announcer said, "For men who sail in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, winning is not so much important. It's the comradeship, an affinity for sea and wind, and some quality that draws them out to pit their skill and lives against the forces of nature, a quality that seems common to all men who challenge the sea in ships."

I am not so sure in 2025 that all of that holds. I am sure some of it is valid.
 
May 29, 2018
641
Canel 25 foot Shiogama, japan
Attrition in the Sydney to Hobart.

The race has always been tough and over the years the regulations for safely have become stricter.
Especially after the 1998 disaster.
So now, all competing boats are really well prepared and inspected.
Riggers, sailmakers. electrical and mechanical engineers, crew, owners and race committees crawl over every boat.
That why it is so surprising that so many boats have retired for such a range of failures.
However. rigging, electronics, sails, rudders, engines have all seen failures in one way or another.
Of the 128 yachts competing, 33 have retired.

 

PaulK

.
Dec 1, 2009
1,452
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
Having to beat for 24 hours into 3 meter swells along with whatever forms up on top of them from a 20 knot breeze will shake up a lot of crews and boats, no matter how well-prepared they are.
 

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,789
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
It was a tough race this year...

dj

p.s. I think its more than 33 have retired at this point but I didn't count them....
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,813
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I was surprised at the lack of PDF’s on the crew of the 1959 race. This years race sees all of the crew members outfitted with PFD EQUIPMENT.
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,766
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Does anyone know if the Palm Beach XI, nee Wild Oats XI, entered?
There was a write up posted somewhere from Yachtworld about the modifications made to the boat. Palm Beach Yachts and Grand Banks collaborated on a re-fitting including adding foils and keel modifications to increase its sail carrying and allow higher pointing. I understood it was their intention to enter the S-H race.