Crush embraces learning curve of a fast Rolex Sydney Hobart

Crush heads down the Tasmanian coast - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race © Andrea Francolini

For Dave Davenport and his crew on Crush, racing in the high-speed class of TP52s in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was not about beating others, but what they could learn.

Yesterday afternoon, Crush became the 20th boat to finish the 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

"It was great fun. That was the goal of the race. We wanted to get to Hobart with smiles on our faces. We did," Davenport said at the dock in Hobart.

The West Australian said he knew Crush, representing Fremantle Sailing Club, was up against a strong field of TP52s.

"We obviously had experience aboard (crew member Kevin Costin has now done 18 Hobarts), but some of us hadn't done anything quite like this.

"We blew up a couple of spinnakers in the middle of the night. So, we had our moments."

Asked if there was anything he would remember about his second Rolex Sydney Hobart, Davenport said: "We had no idea whether we would be competitive or not.

"But we thought we'd go and then we would know for next year what we had to do.

"We've got a long way to go; but it was worth it."

Tom Barker, navigator on Zen, owned and skippered by Gordon Ketelbey from Middle Harbour Yacht Club in NSW, shared Davenport's enthusiasm.

"All the crews, I think, should be really proud of themselves," Barker said after Zen finished one place ahead of Crush in 19th over the line.

"We're here in Hobart. For us, it was a really good race. It's hard when it gets to 35 knots downwind in the dark on these quite light boats, but the crew stuck it out.

"We often think about a hard upwind race being tough on crews, with the physicality; but these boats get thrown around downwind a lot.

"Fortunately, for this race, a lot of the sailing was more in the 8 to 20 knot range. (It is not the case for those who are yet to finish).

"So, it was somewhat moderate, and that was nice, but we had periods last night where it was up to 35-38 knots.

"With big spinnakers up, water streaming across the boat and across the deck, it becomes like a submarine. The crew get thrown around and the noise down below is phenomenal.

"Downwind is probably not our greatest strength on this boat. So, to hang in the pack like we did, we're really happy with that.

"We're lucky it was a short, fast race. We're all very glad to be here."