Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

MAN OVERBOARD SHIPPING CENTRAL

by Mike Porter on 29 Dec 2000
Shipping Central crew member Garry Holt narrowly escaped disaster early this morning after being thrown overboard in rough seas during the incident which forced the Bruce Farr-designed First 40.7 yacht to withdraw from the 2000 Telstra Sydney to Hobart
race.

The Sydney businessman, a helmsman and trimmer on Shipping Central who
was contesting the race for the 13th time, was flung into the ocean just
seconds after the yacht's rudder broke off the east coast of Tasmania at
approximately 1.30am.

Holt revealed later today he had feared for his life after his safety
harness broke when he went overboard, but he said he had fortunately
been able hold onto a lifeline and climbed back onto Shipping Central.

'If I'd lost the lifeline I doubt anyone could have helped me because it
was dark, there was a four-to-five metre swell with breaking seas, and
the boat was out of control because the rudder had broken,' said Holt.

'There were four of us on deck when the rudder broke – maybe we hit
something, but I can't say for sure.'

'The boat started spinning and doing '360s' without the rudder and I
went over the side. Then the harness broke and luckily I managed to hold
onto a lifeline and pull, myself back onboard.'

'It was very scary and one of the worst moments I've had in this race.'

Shipping Central, skippered by 1999 line honours winner Michael Spies,
was towed back to Lady Barren Island this afternoon. The yacht is
expected to remain there for at least two days for repairs and fitting a
replacement rudder, and it will then be sailed back to Sydney.

Until the rudder broke the P&O Nedlloyd-sponsored Shipping Central had
been as high as second and rarely out of the top six in the
International Measurement System (IMS) class vying for the
overall/handicap win.

Holt, who drove a V8 Ford Falcon in this year's FAI 1000 motor race at
Bathurst in November, said at the time of the incident Shipping Central
had been gaining ground on its major rivals in the IMS class.

'We held out to sea knowing a southerly was going to come in, while some
of the others ahead were becalmed and they had to tack back out to sea,'
said Holt.

'There's no doubt we were in a very good position to go for the overall
win because we had been having an excellent run until the rudder broke.'

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Mike Porter – Tel: (0417) 311-997. E-Mail:
mikep@qldnet.com.au

Related Articles

Topper Midland Championship at Draycote Water
Consistency key with 8 races held over two days Draycote Water hosted the Midland Championships held over a weekend in June. A regional champs always attracts a good turn out, and as a selection event for the ITCA GBR Regional performance winter training this year it was an extra reason to sign up.
Posted today at 12:55 pm
An evening with the Scaramouche Sailing Trust
Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy (GCA). But they've shown it can be accessible to everyone, with amazing results.
Posted today at 11:00 am
Weston Sailing Club Catamaran Open
The 52 sailors were treated to stunning conditions Weston SC attracted 28 catamarans for its annual Catamaran Open Meeting, held this year in June, instead of its September date of previous years. The 52 sailors were treated to stunning conditions, with 30°C temperatures and wall-to-wall sunshine.
Posted today at 10:51 am
ILCA UK Youth Series at Parkstone
45 sailors enjoy sparkling conditions in Poole Harbour Poole Harbour was at its best for the third round of the ILCA UK Youth Series hosted by Parkstone Yacht Club and sponsored by Harken.
Posted today at 9:43 am
Course des Caps Update: A promising start!
The eleven crews have begun their grand tour around the British Isles The Course des Caps - Boulogne-sur-Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, which set sail from the shores of northern France, marks the first race of the 2025 season and kicks off the new edition of the IMOCA Globe Series Championship.
Posted today at 8:42 am
B14 Inlands at Grafham Water
A case of managing the course and keeping the rig upright This year the B14 class association decided to move the Inlands to the middle of the year rather than as has happened in the last 10 years holding them in the spring at Rutland when invariably it would be cold and probably windy.
Posted today at 8:13 am
Cape 31 Med Circuit Round 3 at Sanremo
Stig claims first Cape 31 victory The third round of the 2025 Cape 31 Med Circuit wrapped up this weekend in Sanremo, serving up three days of sunshine, spectacular racing, and classic Italian flair.
Posted today at 7:56 am
Chase Sailing Club celebrates Platinum Anniversary
The club hosted an incredible two-day celebration of sailing, food, and live entertainment 2025 marks a momentous year for The Chase Sailing Club as we celebrate our 70th Anniversary, and what a year it's been so far! Over the weekend of June 28th & 29th, the club hosted an incredible two-day celebration of sailing, food, & live entertainment.
Posted today at 7:28 am
Whitefriars Mirror Open
Topical temperatures, but less wind than forecast 15 Mirrors arrived at Whitefriars Sailing Club, in the Cotswolds Water Park, to be greeted by tropical temperatures, but less wind than forecast.
Posted today at 6:54 am
18ft Skiffs: Queensland 18 footer history
Decades of successful ideas and achievement Queensland's revival over recent seasons, which resulted in a two-pronged attack by experienced and young teams in new skiffs at the 2025 Giltinan world championship
Posted today at 6:46 am