Throwback Thursday: Race 5 to Sydney gets underway

In this week’s Throwback Thursday we reflect on this time last year, when following the warm hospitality of the city of Albany, Western Australia, the newest fleet of twelve 70-foot ocean racing yachts started its 2,150 mile race to Sydney.

One of the shorter races in the 16 race series, across the fleet the tactic was to push the Clipper 70s harder and faster, keeping up the pace all the time in preparation for the upcoming participation in the iconic Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.

As the crew found their sea legs after facing the Southern Ocean for the second time, OneDLL took the lead by just one mile with Derry~Londonderry~Doire, Qingdao and Henri Lloyd all hot on its heels.

OneDLL crew member, John Milsom, a 42 year-old Occupational Psychologist from Manchester reported: “The race start itself was hugely exciting, and this was made even more so as our skipper once again put us at the front of the fleet. I have to say that I although I might be biased, I think skipper Olly Cotterell is pretty good at giving us a good start (just one of his strengths!).

“Additional spice was also added by us having so much support on the water from friends, family, crewmates and OneDLL members. We are always one of the more visibly supported boats and Albany was no exception. This time was had crew members on the side lines. Maybe it was their extra push that got us away so quickly!”

Leaving Albany the fleet headed east across the Great Australian Bight .With high pressure forecast for the duration of the race and colder conditions on the beat south of Tasmania, this was to be a highly tactical race in the search for favourable winds and only time would tell which tactical decisions would pay off.

If you want to be part of the Australian action in the next edition of the race, click here

Watch footage from Race 5 to Sydney here