1213 replies to this topic

[Left Hook]

Is she on the way to Sydney yet?

http://www.ebay.com....E:L:LCA:AU:1123

Well there you go; I guess it just wouldn't be a Hobart without a Wharro "Fund Raising Scheme"

Don't be too harsh:

Money raised will be donated to the CYCA Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Safety of Life at Sea Trusts

Mex

Yeah, as if he's going to fund a maxi program with a few hundred dollars worth of ebay money - even one like his.

[GybeSet®]

Who would have thought hey, an article about WOXI being a potential record breaker for this years race.
http://news.theage.c...1127-2a4tj.html

Not only that, apparently Loki is going to win it on Corrected Time again, Double WOW!!. That journalist is a fucking genius, firstly, to get the article published with his staggering foresight and secondly, to get it published even BEFORE Rob Mundle's utterances hit the press. Can't wait for Stripeys contribution either.

not forgetting THIS post every year for the last 5 yrs, more ?

same same, or even more predictable FB ?

hey maybe you need to sail it ? then the vibes might be more positive

[Flatbag]

Who would have thought hey, an article about WOXI being a potential record breaker for this years race.
http://news.theage.c...1127-2a4tj.html

Not only that, apparently Loki is going to win it on Corrected Time again, Double WOW!!. That journalist is a fucking genius, firstly, to get the article published with his staggering foresight and secondly, to get it published even BEFORE Rob Mundle's utterances hit the press. Can't wait for Stripeys contribution either.

not forgetting THIS post every year for the last 5 yrs, more ?

same same, or even more predictable FB ?

hey maybe you need to sail it ? then the vibes might be more positive

If ignorance is bliss you must be absolutely fucking delirious Davey. Been there, done that.

[Flatbag]

Is she on the way to Sydney yet?

http://www.ebay.com....E:L:LCA:AU:1123

Well there you go; I guess it just wouldn't be a Hobart without a Wharro "Fund Raising Scheme"

Don't be too harsh:

Money raised will be donated to the CYCA Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Safety of Life at Sea Trusts

Mex

Harsh; moi? Understood re the SOLAS auction but sure you agree past WT " sponsorship schemes" have raised the odd eyebrow.

[Mexican]

Is she on the way to Sydney yet?

http://www.ebay.com....E:L:LCA:AU:1123

Well there you go; I guess it just wouldn't be a Hobart without a Wharro "Fund Raising Scheme"

Don't be too harsh:

Money raised will be donated to the CYCA Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Safety of Life at Sea Trusts

Mex

Harsh; moi? Understood re the SOLAS auction but sure you agree past WT " sponsorship schemes" have raised the odd eyebrow.

Yep, definitely agree with that. Just ask Etihad....

Mex

[gimmee]

He is the Japanese version of Mark Richards !!!

And each year one of the highlights in our club is betting on how many times Mark Richards says "you know" when being interviewed.

[angles]

He is the Japanese version of Mark Richards !!!

And each year one of the highlights in our club is betting on how many times Mark Richards says "you know" when being interviewed.

+1

[facthunt]

Will the forecast favour the quicker or slower boats. It would be useful to start optimising the rating now.

I understand sunfish can influence Aussie yacht races. Any news on their migration patterns.

they are congregating off brisbane ship lifts.

[facthunt]

Jones mods ?

who does the factory shipwrights material suppliers etc think is paying for this ?

warro has some new freinds, havent heard of any recent unhappy creditors yet, he is hands on knocking him self out, if it was anyone else i would say not enough time no chance. whatch the space when you think hes down he gets up somewhere else.

[Flippin Out]

He is the Japanese version of Mark Richards !!!

And each year one of the highlights in our club is betting on how many times Mark Richards says "you know" when being interviewed.

What about taking bets on how many times he says "FUCK" on the Ch 7 coverage again this year ?

[Jason AUS]

Something long and dark (bad joke?) just motored up river past our office towards Sydney City Marine. I guess it's either Black Jack (and I need stronger glasses) or Wild Thing. Have there been any sightings of WT back in the wet yet?

[AussieSailorChick]

It's not Wild Thing

[dumper]

i ride past sydney city marine and the hull of the mystery boat looks more blue than black. it was from a distance but i couldnt see a centre board, but i could have one.

[AussieSailorChick]

Ditto

[huwp]

Black Jack In sydney and ready to do the Big Boat challenge as far as I know

[GybeSet®]

Black Jack (& woxi off sydney ) went offshore on Sunday , BJ went south quite a ways so the bush telegraph beats

[TPG]

Wharro DNS at Big Boat Challenge?

[GybeSet®]

Not here yet afaik

Not here yet afaik

[Mel]

He is the Japanese version of Mark Richards !!!

And each year one of the highlights in our club is betting on how many times Mark Richards says "you know" when being interviewed.

+1

I'll keep this in mind when we interview him on Saturday (Sailing Chix with Nix)! We are talking to a few of those doing Hobart over the next few Radio Shows before the live show on Boxing Day.

[smc]

Black Jack was there,



Couldn't quiet get the red shirt gang today.

[Chief]

Did Black Jack come second?

[smc]

Big Boat Challenge,

Line Honours
WOXI
Lahana
WOX
Black Jack
Loki
Hooligan
...

IRC
WOX
Loki
Black Jack
Hooligan
Lahana
WOXI
...

[uncle chop chop]

Wharro DNS at Big Boat Challenge?

Still taking up the offer of free berthing at Newcastles public wharf, the locals are wondering why he hasn't visited NCYC's lovely marina this time around.

[Gorn FRANTIC!!]

Wouldn't be due to outstanding fuel & marina fees from the last visit would it...

[Breeze]

Wouldn't be due to outstanding fuel & marina fees from the last visit would it...

Can the sheriff chain a boat to a public wharf ?

[DtM]

Say it isn't so !!!!

[AussieSailorChick]

It isn't so

[BlueBoy]

Wharro DNS at Big Boat Challenge?

I wonder what happened to the person that bid $780 in the ebay auction to sail onboard ?

[Alysum]

Victoire & Terra Firma have withdrawn from the race.

Loyal to asses mast damage from yesterday, any info what happened?

[DtM]

Victoire going to Coffs Harbour.

[Left Hook]

Victoire & Terra Firma have withdrawn from the race.

Loyal to asses mast damage from yesterday, any info what happened?

Has GR been shipped up to SE Asia yet?

[Windward Mark]

Victoire & Terra Firma have withdrawn from the race.

Loyal to asses mast damage from yesterday, any info what happened?

I believe that the mast is f*cked. Hobart unlikely. But not sure on accuracy of the info.

Basically they ran it into the ANZAC bridge.........

[smc]

Doesn't sound good for Loyal, they were docked right next to the bridge with the keel canted over to keep the mast away, can see the mast tip as you drive over ANZAC bridge

GR was sitting in the shed.

[Mojounwin]

How come the sailing media like Sail-world aren't updating on all this? This is one of the peak times of year for sailing in Australia. There is some pretty big news about the place to be told.

Mojo

[Left Hook]

Yeesh, that boat eats masts.

Just haul GR out of the shed and go south on her

[Gorn FRANTIC!!]

Can't take GR, not safety compliant in her current configuration (keel needs a manual lock to hold it in centreline in case of emergency)

[Left Hook]

Can't take GR, not safety compliant in her current configuration (keel needs a manual lock to hold it in centreline in case of emergency)

Copy.

Sunfish everywhere weep for a lost opportunity to wrap themselves around a canting keel.

[GybeSet®]

GR is a basket case at the mo, barely go to OZ

would not be a quicker fix

[GybeSet®]

Loyal to asses mast damage from yesterday, any info what happened?

I believe that the mast is f*cked. Hobart unlikely. But not sure on accuracy of the info.

Basically they ran it into the ANZAC bridge.........

shoot, if thats the case whoever "they" are would be unemployed for over a day now

How come the sailing media like Sail-world aren't updating on all this? Mojo

Can tell you're not from around here m8
if that's a cock-up, it will not be 'offered up'

the only other possibility it's another December pre hobart stunt, which are as predictable as xmas day ..
but I doubt it in this case

The event sounds like it lost it's 'race for line honours', a pity

[Terrafirma]

Jones mods ?

who does the factory shipwrights material suppliers etc think is paying for this ?

warro has some new freinds, havent heard of any recent unhappy creditors yet, he is hands on knocking him self out, if it was anyone else i would say not enough time no chance. whatch the space when you think hes down he gets up somewhere else.

Wharro is running out of cards, he played his Joker way too often, the Facebook page had a distinct naive flavour with some of the participants. I'm sure his mods will make the boat a little quicker but Oats is now a whole lot quicker also. Wharro would be better off with a TP52 but thats 48 feet short of the disease he has. Give the guy credit for determination though.

[Mojounwin]

Loyal to asses mast damage from yesterday, any info what happened?

I believe that the mast is f*cked. Hobart unlikely. But not sure on accuracy of the info.

Basically they ran it into the ANZAC bridge.........

shoot, if thats the case whoever "they" are would be unemployed for over a day now

How come the sailing media like Sail-world aren't updating on all this? Mojo

Can tell you're not from around here m8
if that's a cock-up, it will not be 'offered up'

the only other possibility it's another December pre hobart stunt, which are as predictable as xmas day ..
but I doubt it in this case

The event sounds like it lost it's 'race for line honours', a pity

That could have a go at some investigative journalism, like mainstream media do. Would make a nice change from printing wild oats media releases.

[Windward Mark]

http://www.dailytele...r-1226536282588

Did someone say investigative journalism.

[GybeSet®]

LOL i agree WM, 'investigative' boo yah

the yacht sustained in an unspecified incident on Wednesday.It is understood the yacht was damaged after a training session
Exactly my point, nothing ....

mojo, mainstream FAIL, they only print the shyte they are 'offered up' by the various attention whores who pop up in DEC and hibernate the other 11 months,
Syd on the other hand goes about the business fairly quietly and lets his results do the talking.

the truth is stranger than fiction: mark twain

[Recidivist]

I'm getting tired of reading Wharro bashing from people who don'tknow him, have never met him or sailed with him.

There may well be people who have waited to be paid or even who are still waiting. If any of those people are lurking and wish to post about their experiences, I'll be interested to read their opinions. So far, I haven't seen any such postings. I doubt those matters would be aired here.

I know a few people who have sailed with Wharro and consider him a good enough skipper and person that they go back again. ASC seems to be one.

How about we pay more attention to fellow sailors who are happy to crew with Wharro and less attention to bad mouthing of him.

I sailed for many thousands of miles with a chap who was not popular with or respected by the "establishment", but I would sail anywhere with him before I'd cross the bay with those wankers who denigrated him.

Until someone convinces me that wharro's failings exceed his positives, I'm prepared to think of him in a similar way.

Let all those who run a better 100' campaign speak up and throw stones.

[DtM]

Wild Thing arrived in Sydney Harbour last night at around 6.00 pm. Sailing under just a main down the harbour in a nice noreaster.
Don't know where she is staying.

[DtM]

The Ragamuffin TP52 is entered in Coffs. I wonder if it could get a late entry in for Hobart in the event Loyal is out?

[Leka]

I'm getting tired of reading Wharro bashing from people who don'tknow him, have never met him or sailed with him.

There may well be people who have waited to be paid or even who are still waiting. If any of those people are lurking and wish to post about their experiences, I'll be interested to read their opinions. So far, I haven't seen any such postings. I doubt those matters would be aired here.

I know a few people who have sailed with Wharro and consider him a good enough skipper and person that they go back again. ASC seems to be one.

How about we pay more attention to fellow sailors who are happy to crew with Wharro and less attention to bad mouthing of him.

I sailed for many thousands of miles with a chap who was not popular with or respected by the "establishment", but I would sail anywhere with him before I'd cross the bay with those wankers who denigrated him.

Until someone convinces me that wharro's failings exceed his positives, I'm prepared to think of him in a similar way.

Let all those who run a better 100' campaign speak up and throw stones.

+1
Do not know the man, but have been intruiged by the amount of 'bashing' he gets.

He has consistently put a big boat on the start line for a number of years.
You do not do that without some bucks behind you.

Have heard a lot of the gossip and stories, but the facts speak for themselves.
A big boat in a big race many times.

The boating fraternity in Aust is small and he simply would not be able to do that if he was as bad as some people paint him.

Hopefully there will be 3 big boats on the start line on Boxing Day.

[Mexican]

From Sail-world by Jennifer Crooks

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will get underway on Boxing Day and the team at Ragamuffin Loyal are pleased to say that the assessment of damage to the 100 footer’s rigging, sustained on Wednesday evening, is a positive one and repairs are underway.

The repairs should be complete within the next few days, and all are looking forward to being on the start line for the Rolex Sydney Hobart on Boxing Day and are disappointed to be missing this weekend’s CYCA Trophy Passage Series.

http://www.sail-worl...r-action/104693

[ZeusProject]

Hear on the grapevine WT after mods no longer has a valid ABS certificate so entry is a bit dicey

[Mojounwin]

http://www.sportsbet...etting/yachting

Line Honours betting is out

WOXI $1.45
Loyal $3.25
Lahana $10
WildThing $13
Black Jack $29
Ichi Ban $51

Wild thing wouldn't be a bad bet at $13. I guess their recent DNF's and late run to the start this year is keeping the odds good.

Cheers
Mojo

[sea bogan]

Maybe it could be worth a punt

[irc-racer]

known wharro for 15 years, sailed with him for 15 years... maxi program on a shoestring. made a few mistakes. fighting well above his weight, sure! but the man's got a heart of gold and is the aussie battler in the big end of town. besides, would you part with $2M per year to maintain a maxi yacht the WOXI standards?? who is crazier, the man getting fleeced paying the sharks stupid amounts of money to sail his boat and not even being on it himself most the time (this applies to around 5 big programs I can think of....) or the guy out there running and sailing his own boat with his mates and giving it a go???

Not only is Wharro the perennial underdog, he's also the underdog we all love to hate.

I can see of a lot of guys walking around the docks at CYC right now who got a break on Wharro's boat and who are now onto better things...

I'm sure he hates the fact we are all obsessed with him and talking about him....

[Mr. Coventry]

Noticed this on the Facebook Page.

[Bill E Goat]

So whats the long range forecast ?

NE, going west, southerly then NE for the rest of the trip.

Bass strait temps are very mild

Attached Files

•  IDYOC151.+120.jpg   54.85K   17 downloads

[Left Hook]

All of the refit photos gone from the facebook page

[Phil]

Pics taken off Shark Island last night, could see from WSC

[MSA]

http://www.sail-worl...Day-race/104703

I kid you not.. Shark Fin on the back of the bulb.

[smc]

http://www.sail-worl...Day-race/104703

I kid you not.. Shark Fin on the back of the bulb.

First 100' Maxi Foiler!

[DtM]

Another piece by Rob Mundle. What a surprise !!!!!

[Mojounwin]

Another piece by Rob Mundle. What a surprise !!!!!

He must have quite a taste for Bob Oatley's ass hole, he spends enough time tonguing it.

Cheers
Mojo

[rumpig]

Another piece by Rob Mundle. What a surprise !!!!!

He must have quite a taste for Bob Oatley's ass hole, he spends enough time tonguing it.

Cheers
Mojo

+ 1

[DtM]

http://www.sail-worl...-to-fly-/104770

Here is the latest from Mr Mundle on the three improvements to the WOXI arsenal.

I wonder what it cost to design those little winglets??!!??

[facthunt]

Victoire & Terra Firma have withdrawn from the race.

Loyal to asses mast damage from yesterday, any info what happened?

I believe that the mast is f*cked. Hobart unlikely. But not sure on accuracy of the info.

Basically they ran it into the ANZAC bridge.........

does witty run that boat?

[Left Hook]

http://www.sail-worl...-to-fly-/104770

Here is the latest from Mr Mundle on the three improvements to the WOXI arsenal.

I wonder what it cost to design those little winglets??!!??

Someone has to keep R/P active while they sit around collecting Melges royalty checks

I kid....

[facthunt]

Wharro DNS at Big Boat Challenge?

I wonder what happened to the person that bid $780 in the ebay auction to sail onboard ?

i wonder if they sold any rides on other boats. just turn up at woolich dock on the day and ask for mark richards.

[Gorn FRANTIC!!]

Victoire & Terra Firma have withdrawn from the race.

Loyal to asses mast damage from yesterday, any info what happened?

I believe that the mast is f*cked. Hobart unlikely. But not sure on accuracy of the info.

Basically they ran it into the ANZAC bridge.........

does witty run that boat?

Correct.

[alcoholfunnycar]

http://www.sail-worl...-to-fly-/104770

Here is the latest from Mr Mundle on the three improvements to the WOXI arsenal.

I wonder what it cost to design those little winglets??!!??

Someone has to keep R/P active while they sit around collecting Melges royalty checks

I kid....

Lots of idiocy in this thread. Just picked one random example.

[Left Hook]

http://www.sail-worl...-to-fly-/104770

Here is the latest from Mr Mundle on the three improvements to the WOXI arsenal.

I wonder what it cost to design those little winglets??!!??

Someone has to keep R/P active while they sit around collecting Melges royalty checks

I kid....

Lots of idiocy in this thread. Just picked one random example

What part of "I kid" don't you understand?

[Ocean View]

So whats the long range forecast ?
NE, going west, southerly then NE for the rest of the trip.
Bass strait temps are very mild

Throw into that the Fiji Cyclone and where it ends up - makes it anybodies guess at present.

[Leka]

<sub>Don't cyclones generally track northwards in the Southern hemisphere?

Long way from Fiji to Bass Strait.

If I was trying to do tactics / weather routing for this year, I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to Evan.

(Maybe that's why I have never finished in the top 50%!!!!!)</sub>

[DtM]

Evan is presently tracking south after Fiji !!!

They might get the tail end in the north of NZ.

[Estar]

so, just for fun . . .

26th 0600UT
 260600.jpg   101.73K   17 downloads

27th 0600UT
 270600.jpg   92.35K   5 downloads

28th 0600UT
 280600.jpg   86.95K   1 downloads

29th 0600UT
 290600.jpg   98.54K   22 downloads

30th 0600UT
 300600.jpg   92.97K   1 downloads

[Mel]

We will have Kenn from BOM to talk weather with us on the Radio show.

[facthunt]

http://www.sail-worl...-to-fly-/104770

Here is the latest from Mr Mundle on the three improvements to the WOXI arsenal.

I wonder what it cost to design those little winglets??!!??

Someone has to keep R/P active while they sit around collecting Melges royalty checks

I kid....

Lots of idiocy in this thread. Just picked one random example

What part of "I kid" don't you understand?

i doubt r/p were involved in the whacky racer mods, more likely local job creation?

[Mexican]

so, just for fun . . .

29th 0600UT
 290600.jpg   98.54K   22 downloads

Small boat rce looking at this forecast for the 29th

Mex

[Jason AUS]

At least the media articles are as clear and accurate as the forecast.... the latest S/W posting from one of the CYCA's media staff mentions the "Andrews 52 maxi" Dodo pulling out of the event and has a picture of the Sydney 38 Next tagged as Ragamuffin-Loyal.

Hell, it's only the biggest event on your employer's calendar... I'm sure there is heaps going on, but surely any press you put out can be fact checked?

[DtM]

and in consecutive paragraphs says that there are now 77 boats and then in the next paragraph 72 boats.

Not that complicated surely.

[forss]

Wild Oats guys need some docking advice

[dumper]

i saw that little fin on the buld awhile ago but didnt think much of it

[Change]

Kellet- powered by Kendy

[GybeSet®]

i doubt r/p were involved in the whacky racer mods, more likely local job creation?

who knows, they can afford it, pretty whacky fo sho

they are kinda horizontal when canted, are they trying to lengthen the wave train over the bulb ? ie increase the bulbs loa ?

[Jason AUS]

i doubt r/p were involved in the whacky racer mods, more likely local job creation?

who knows, they can afford it, pretty whacky fo sho

they are kinda horizontal when canted, are they trying to lengthen the wave train over the bulb ? ie increase the bulbs loa ?

They create a prettier contour trail through phosphorescence at night?? Either that, or the bulb is now powered, detachable and controllable (read: torpedo - this year's plan for defeating Loyal).

[Mexican]

I hear there's a Wild Thing press release on the way announcing a new partner for the program plus a bit of a "back to the future" feeling for the crew list.

The stop over in Newcastle was to effect repairs to the main traveller. Nothing like a few last minute repairs to focus one's attention.

Mex

[MR.CLEAN]

the s-w article mentions an american partner too. don't see any familiar names on the crew list though

[facthunt]

i doubt r/p were involved in the whacky racer mods, more likely local job creation?

who knows, they can afford it, pretty whacky fo sho

they are kinda horizontal when canted, are they trying to lengthen the wave train over the bulb ? ie increase the bulbs loa ?

my guess would be to arrest trailing vorticies, the original design would have been subject to flow modelling, and the fins would be on from day one if they were shown to be a +,

[Mexican]

the s-w article mentions an american partner too. don't see any familiar names on the crew list though

An article in the West Australian newspaper / AAP gives some insight. Six of the crew will be girls. Warro has run Wild Thing with predominantly female crew for Port Lincoln RW a couple of time previously. I had heard that this year's tilt at the Hobart was going to involve an all girl crew but dismissed this as our favourite photographer, Nicole, was involved initially.

http://au.news.yahoo...-hobart-threat/

While shoppers wait for the post-Christmas sales it's the pre-Christmas delivery of some new sails which has Wild Thing owner Grant Wharington excited. His revamped Sydney to Hobart yacht is virtually unrecognisable from its launch year in 2003, when it gave Wharington his only line honours win in what now amounts to 24 attempts at the great race.

Wharington will also have six female crew members aboard this year, including Perth girl Jessica Sweeney, a meteorologist and navigator. Sweeney, 30, is taking part in her fifth Sydney-Hobart.
Wharington has become one of the modern-day characters of the bluewater classic in which he has an eventful history.

The line-honours win apart, he has logged a second, two thirds and three retirements in Wild Thing. Wharington has declared the boat is in its best ever shape after having her lengthened to the 100-foot maximum and making several other modifications. And the December arrival of some new sails has Wharington convinced he can genuinely threaten defending line honours champion Ragamuffin Loyal and five-time winner Wild Oats XI.

"The new sails are going to be a very big bonus for us, because we haven't had the same as Wild Oats and Loyal ever," Wharington told AAP. "To have the same downwind sails that they've got, I think will be really good for us."

Perhaps the only things missing for Wharington are the time and opportunity to test his rejigged boat as it will head into the Sydney-to Hobart untested in race conditions.
"We'd love another week, if we're greedy, we'd love another month, but we've got what we've got," Wharington said. "The guys on board can point us in the right direction and make the best of the new sails and we know how they all operate. "We've just got our new high-speed winches operating too, so that's all good. "Every day we're a bit closer, a few more things ticked off. Definitely these modifications are to try to bring us up to speed with Wild Oats and Loyal. That's certainly what we've targeted. It's just a question of whether we are going to be able to actually get to that point in time."

Punters clearly like what they are hearing about Wild Thing, with Sportingbet reporting on Tuesday they had slashed the odds on the boat getting line honours from $10 to $8.50, behind only Wild Oats XI at $1.47 and Ragamuffin Loyal at $3.60.

by Adrian Warren

[Mexican]

The female crew aboard Wild Thing for the 2012 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, from L to R, Sophie Ciszek, Jessica Sweeney, Karen Meyer, Carolijn Brouwer, Sue Crafer and Kelly Mathews. Picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph
- a few more details here...

[Mel]

At least the media articles are as clear and accurate as the forecast.... the latest S/W posting from one of the CYCA's media staff mentions the "Andrews 52 maxi" Dodo pulling out of the event and has a picture of the Sydney 38 Next tagged as Ragamuffin-Loyal.

Hell, it's only the biggest event on your employer's calendar... I'm sure there is heaps going on, but surely any press you put out can be fact checked?

Do you want to talk to us then!

[DtM]

Good luck with your coverage Mel.

Give 'em hell and try to redress the WOXI monopoly on Channel 7 !!!!

[Mel]

Thanks. We will be talking to Ricko early in our coverage. Spoke to him on last Saturdays show actually. We also have people already booked from plenty of other boats to talk during our coverage. Can't do anything about Channel 7 but can try to cover as many different classes as possible on our coverage. I will be on the water with Nic and Nix on land.

[MR.CLEAN]

listen in to the sailingchix on saturday morning (friday @ 1600 EDT) if you want to hear me get verbally abused by them

should be fun

[Ocean View]

<sub>Don't cyclones generally track northwards in the Southern hemisphere?

Long way from Fiji to Bass Strait.

If I was trying to do tactics / weather routing for this year, I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to Evan.

(Maybe that's why I have never finished in the top 50%!!!!!)</sub>

Normally they track south in the SH - And if you look at this modelling you can see it doing that.

http://www.bom.gov.a...it=Refresh View

Estar
That'd be a lot nicer than what my modelling is showing
Which will be a totally different race if things don't change ;(
but hey - it's still 7 days away and the models will not be anywhere near accurate for awhile yet.
swing wind swing

[AussieSailorChick]

the s-w article mentions an american partner too. don't see any familiar names on the crew list though

An article in the West Australian newspaper / AAP gives some insight. Six of the crew will be girls. Warro has run Wild Thing with predominantly female crew for Port Lincoln RW a couple of time previously. I had heard that this year's tilt at the Hobart was going to involve an all girl crew but dismissed this as our favourite photographer, Nicole, was involved initially.

http://au.news.yahoo...-hobart-threat/

While shoppers wait for the post-Christmas sales it's the pre-Christmas delivery of some new sails which has Wild Thing owner Grant Wharington excited. His revamped Sydney to Hobart yacht is virtually unrecognisable from its launch year in 2003, when it gave Wharington his only line honours win in what now amounts to 24 attempts at the great race.

Wharington will also have six female crew members aboard this year, including Perth girl Jessica Sweeney, a meteorologist and navigator. Sweeney, 30, is taking part in her fifth Sydney-Hobart.
Wharington has become one of the modern-day characters of the bluewater classic in which he has an eventful history.

The line-honours win apart, he has logged a second, two thirds and three retirements in Wild Thing. Wharington has declared the boat is in its best ever shape after having her lengthened to the 100-foot maximum and making several other modifications. And the December arrival of some new sails has Wharington convinced he can genuinely threaten defending line honours champion Ragamuffin Loyal and five-time winner Wild Oats XI.

"The new sails are going to be a very big bonus for us, because we haven't had the same as Wild Oats and Loyal ever," Wharington told AAP. "To have the same downwind sails that they've got, I think will be really good for us."

Perhaps the only things missing for Wharington are the time and opportunity to test his rejigged boat as it will head into the Sydney-to Hobart untested in race conditions.
"We'd love another week, if we're greedy, we'd love another month, but we've got what we've got," Wharington said. "The guys on board can point us in the right direction and make the best of the new sails and we know how they all operate. "We've just got our new high-speed winches operating too, so that's all good. "Every day we're a bit closer, a few more things ticked off. Definitely these modifications are to try to bring us up to speed with Wild Oats and Loyal. That's certainly what we've targeted. It's just a question of whether we are going to be able to actually get to that point in time."

Punters clearly like what they are hearing about Wild Thing, with Sportingbet reporting on Tuesday they had slashed the odds on the boat getting line honours from $10 to $8.50, behind only Wild Oats XI at $1.47 and Ragamuffin Loyal at $3.60.

by Adrian Warren

Pity the photo is the wrong WT..

[Leka]

Cannot see any Cyclone tracks heading to Bass Strait here????

[MR.CLEAN]

from the new front page...



bass masters


http://www.youtube.c...tch=EsQqptfCF1w


Bob Oatley’s perennial first-to-finish 100’ R/P Wild Oats XI shows off her new surgery for the 2012 Hobart – a pair of vertical winglets on the back edge of the bulb and a light-air daggerboard on the bow. They appear to be odd solutions to Oatley’s loss to Loyal last year, but time will tell…in just a week. They also show that even the best of the best still can’t dock a boat right; fast forward to 1:18 for the drama.

Syd Fisher’s Ragamuffin Loyal – the only boat to beat Wild Oats to Hobart in recent years – also had a Cat 1 moment last week when they crashed into a bridge and damaged the rig. Fisher’s chances for a repeat rapidly disappearing as fans wonder if the new bits will be properly tuned for the Boxing Day classic.

Meanwhile, the other ‘wild’ boat – Wharrington’s Wild Thing – has a secret new American partner that will be revealed over the next few days. But it’s also got something far more interesting; 6 sailor chicks in real roles as crew. Check out the rock star chix they’ve got…if there’s ever been a year for Wharro to win one, this is it. The fact that he chopped the boat in half and added both length and beam might help…

As usual, the best place to follow the race will be right here in the SA forums. You can also tune in to SailorChix Radio twice over the next week for some real-time action from Sydney; on Saturday morning at 0730 (Friday 1530 EDT) for an hour with our own Mr. Clean as a guest, as well as a two-hour plus special including live action from the course, on Boxing Day. Here are some more details from the girls.

[Mel]

Looks like Boxing Day will be 9am to 2pm Sydney time! Is that long enough?

[facthunt]

Maybe it could be worth a punt

put some tickets on yourself. your lookin good for corrected time.

[lydia]

Maybe it could be worth a punt

put some tickets on yourself. your lookin good for corrected time.

Yep tonight the Black Jack show is looking a glamour ride for IRC
Rich are going to get richer on the first afternoon and it will be a long way down the Tasmanian coast after late on the 28th.

[Recidivist]

Maybe it could be worth a punt

put some tickets on yourself. your lookin good for corrected time.

Yep tonight the Black Jack show is looking a glamour ride for IRC
Rich are going to get richer on the first afternoon and it will be a long way down the Tasmanian coast after late on the 28th.

C/mon, didn't you read SW? Loki is already annointed as IRC winner.

The Doll at Wilson's Prom 1500 ish - look for her Friday morning in Syderneytown. Could be another worth a flutter.

[Jason AUS]

At least the media articles are as clear and accurate as the forecast.... the latest S/W posting from one of the CYCA's media staff mentions the "Andrews 52 maxi" Dodo pulling out of the event and has a picture of the Sydney 38 Next tagged as Ragamuffin-Loyal.

Hell, it's only the biggest event on your employer's calendar... I'm sure there is heaps going on, but surely any press you put out can be fact checked?

Do you want to talk to us then!

I'd have thought you'd already have Liesl lined up? If not, sure - happy to go on air.