Danielle: Returning2Hobart with YuuZoo

2009-12-28T19:30:00.000-08:00

YuuZoo and her crew have done it!
We crossed the line at Castray Esplanadade, just after 1pm.
And if you can believe it; I was lucky enough to helm across the line!
I'm pinching myself still!
There is nothing quite like it; the internationally renowned welcome to Hbt by friends, family, locals, yachties and tourists, for all competitors began at the Iron Pot; about 20m from the finishing line. Like Ludda said "It's like receiveng a hug from the whole community."
Firtst it was a family of four in a small tinny that greeted us excitedly, they didn't know anyone on board, but gave us the welcome deserved of a good family friend.
And it continued from there.
Whistles, cheers, screams and the smiles that you can see as you cross the line! Amazing!
The dock was lined with a procession of ppl, clapping in a standing ovation!
Sure it's a hot day in Hbt today, but the welcome was warmer than the sun itself! Thank you to everyone who made it such a special moment for everyone on YuuZoo.
We're in the docks; my hats dripping with water as I type, because they tell me that everyone who does a hobart race for the first time has to go for a swim...I may have objected and may have been thrown in to Sullivans Cove's chilly waters, which was quite a spectacle for everyone watching whilst they enjoyed the Taste Festival! But to be truthful, it's probably the cleanest I've been indays!
But for the first time in days; the crew has enjoyed a well deserved cold ale of Tassie's Cascade beer, after well wishes and local race organisers dropped off a couple of cartons.
So cheers to everyone. And thanks for your well wishes and support.
For now it's time to shower and try and put my feet back on the ground...if that's possible. First I might just try and stop the world from rocking like a yacht!
D, x x x

STORM BAY for a good reason...

2009-12-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

Just passed Storm Bay in a massive s/w'er, two reefs in the main and several headsail changes...but still couldn't avoid blowing another heady!
But quick recovery, and we're headed for the Iron Pot. Mt Wellington is a very nice sight indeed.
All this sailing has made for a hungry crew; but we're on our last supplies...which just means we're all pulling out our secret stashes of snakes, party mix and choccies...but we've got something more substantial on our mind; The Taste Festival on Hobart's waterfront! Hmmm food! We're not fussy at the moment, but you couldn't as for a better selection of Tassie produce that what we'll find at the Taste; which just happens to be a walk of the plank away from where we'll tie-up in a couple of hours! Not long now!! D.

Home Stretch...and gaining!

2009-12-28T10:24:00.000-08:00

YuuZoo's famous 24knots an hour across the bottom end of the strait has her now in seventh place, and quickly gaining on the 70 footers; Ichi Ban and Ran.
With a solid breeze we're just passing by Tasman Island as daylight breaks, so we're on the run-way to Hobart with just 50-odd miles to go!
With the sun starting to glow, Tasman Peninsula's cliff's, the tallest in the southern hemisphere, look amazing. There's loads of wildlife too; seals and dolphins _ they're loving playing with YuuZoo, but are struggling to hold pace! Guess this is the reason Rob Pennicott's wildlife adventure cruises are so renowed.
Ludda reckons he can smell the cold frothy beers waiting for us at Constitution dock...all I can smell is a confined space and the not so sweet smell of 20-men I've shared it with for 3 days!
"We had a good gain in the 45-knots late yesterday, and we gained an advantage over a lot of boats overnight,'' he said.
"Lahana was at her worst 45 miles ahead of us, now she's 20 behind, and Ichi Ban and Ran were 40 miles ahead, but now it's less than 20.
"It's a game of chess; we never give up, and we have every chance of bettering our position still."
But there are still loads of challenges ahead; with many a Hobart race won and lost in the very moody Storm Bay and the Derwent herself!
We're just hoping to keep up the momentum, avoid any parking lots, and see everyone at "home" about midday! D.

2009-12-28T01:29:00.000-08:00

With a bit of luck and a fair breeze we reckon we could be in Hobart by midday!
The internationally regarded warm Tassie welcome will be fabulous...but I'm afraid we're all a little weather beaten and smelly...so maybe don't offer us any congratulatory hugs!
Looking forward to a hot shower, a bed that doesn't rock and a good Bundy at Customs House to celebratre with everyone!
But at the same time it's one of those things that you don't ever want to end.
Right now YuuZoo's still cruising-along down the coast; we're watching the sun melt over Binalong Bay (which, as a proud Tasmanian, I must say Binalong's Bay of Fires was voted as the worlds hottest travel destination by the Lonely Planet 2009) in the distance.
It's only 140nm to home!
Not far to the gorgeous Wine Glass Bay now; it would be a top view from the lookout, all the way from Freycinet Peninsula and across the Tasman Sea...might even be able to spot YuuZoo from there tonight, it's pretty clear.
The waves have died down; we're on an even keel...not that that's unusual given we have a massive 9tonne canting keel under us; but it's a pretty easy sail at about 13knots.
We're running eighth still, but there are boats in sight that we're confident can caught, and it's been said from the start "anything can happen in the Derwent River".
There is still every chance of catching one or two, esp since with the local knowledge of Tassie Sailor Sudsy; and since several crew have competed in the S2H more more than 10 times.
Will keep you posted on our ETA! It's getting very exciting! D.

SENDING IT! Flinders passes in a whirr!

2009-12-27T23:07:00.000-08:00

Absolutely flying!
We're crunching about 26-27knots; so almost 50km/hr reaching towards Tassie's coast!
Witty's at the helm and loving the big 35-40knot westerly; dubbed Witty's wild wester by Boxy!
Crew is bunched down the stern cos the bow is pounding through the waves, there are massive rooster-tails spilling down the deck!
We've passed Flinders Island (about 20km off Tas's N.E coast); no time to check out the giant Mt Strzeleki or it's gorgeous national park _ instead we just flew by. The sworms of dolphins in the gorgeous crystal waters can barely keep up with YuuZoo!
We've got the leaders in sight; with plans to keep sending the boat to the max.
It's 40mile to the coast and about 90 til Tasman light; home's in sight!
The crew love your support so keep it up, D.

We're Within Striking Distance....

2009-12-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

"It's a lottery,'' and if YuuZoo skipper Ludda Ingvall were a gambling man he would be backing his own.
We're running about 7th so far, had a massive night, reaching and making great ground; closing in on the supermaxis.
But I gotta tell you, it's been a frustrating couple of hours since sun-up.
Light winds and well about six sail changes in about an hour makes for some of the most frustrating elements of ocean racing! (esp when some of the sails are about 100kg each).
It means we have four super maxi's ahed and two 70ft _ they're loving this light crap.
But the forecast ahead favourible for us; and we're just entering the Bass Strait "paddock", we've covered about 1/3 of the race, so hopefully we'll make some gains!
It's gonna come down to how we play Tassie's coast from Eddingston Point to the fickle Storm Bay right up until we the finishing gun sounds at Castray!
Ludda and Witty say they've got a secret plan, so fingers and toes crossed!
Aside from that; there's been the usual...dolphins, broken sleep, vomit, satellite prob's and awful 2-min noodles, I'm not sure which came first (and nope, i'm not in the vomit-fold...yet)! D.

Southerly Buster Breaking Big Boats...

2009-12-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

A big Southly, the kind that's all too familiar to us Tasmanians, has flogged the fleet as it heads outta the heads.
We have about 27-30knots on the nose, a true 180 degree southerly.
Loyal has busted a headsail and limit, it seems, has taken a dig back to the startline (headsail damage maybe)
And of course, Warrington's Etihad Stadium didn't make it outta the heads.
It's all white water, big waves, there are massive thuds overhead.
The keel is groaning under me as I speak.
It's all bums on the rail and heads out...should never have worn mascara to sea!
We're heading S/E with the plan to hook into a good currant to drive YuuZoo on home to Tassie!
Gotta love it!
Absolutely amazing stuff.
The crew are soaked already but ya wouldn't be anywhere else would you!
D

To the Sart line...and beyond!

2009-12-25T17:15:00.000-08:00

The bright orange flurry of the mandatory stormsail check/sail-past of the committee boat has been signed sealed an delivered.
To the Start Line!
And then Hobart Bound!
Not long now! D

EXCITEMENT OR NERVES?

2009-12-25T15:49:00.000-08:00

My stomach is in twists and knots...and we're still moored at the docks!
This is incredible.
Thousands of ppl at the yachtie.
Dozens of choppers overhead.
Sailors scrambling to make last minute adjustments!
There must be some yacht race on?!
Only one qu...where's the picture perfect sunny sky that I thought went hand in hand with the start of this S2H blue water classic huh?
We have rainy skies overhead!
Although, I have to admit, it does bring a certain sense of home, which is comforting...especially considering the butterflies!
Not to mention that there is a record number of Tassie entrants this year _ 9 Tassie boats and almost 100 Tassie sailors competing, so it's great to have the hugs and kisses and warm wishes before we all take on Bass Strait and head on South towards home!
2-hours til the race is on! D.

On-Way Ticket From Tassie!

2009-12-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

Forget wrapping presents; it's all about packing my sailing bag.
There is no boozey Chrissie breakfast; it's an OJ for me.
And so far as "Merry Christmas" wishes go; well they've been completely out numbered by "good-luck for the big race" wishes!
It's one more sleep til the S2H.
Excitement and nerves are absolutely fever pitch.
I have a one way ticket outta Tas;
I know that after I fly out, that the next time I will see Tassie's gorgeous water-ways will be when we arrive home; passing the Rolex finishing line buoys at Castray Esplanade aboard YuuZoo! I have goose-bumps just thinking about Hobart's famous warm welcome to all the salty-sailors!
Merry Chrissie! D.

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL

2009-12-23T16:49:00.000-08:00

SHE's 90ft and about 20 tonne...and if you ask me she's flawless! YuuZoo is one of the hottest contenders in this year's Syd2Hob!
I'm thinking I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be part of the team (I've dreamed of doing the race since I started sailing when I was 10).
My height hasn't changed much since then and neither have my dreams!
Sure she's more than twice the size of the 40ft yacht I compete on in Tas on the Derwent River, but like they say big is beautiful.
And could you imagine a more gorgeous boat to sail on for the 628nm ocean race to my home town of Hobart...hmmm, me neither!
Only two more sleeps! D.