SYDNEY to HOBART...the Race!

     One of the coolest things we've done in Australia is follow the Yacht Race from Sydney to Hobart...the race started on Boxing Day, December 26th at about 9am...lots of classes of sailboats in the race but everybody follows the MAX Sailboats to see who is the overall winner...just like a marathon, there are weekend warriors and then there are world class runners...anyway, we watched the beginning of the race in Melbourne on the tele...amazing watching these huge sailboats tacking and looking for advantage right at the beginning of the race...they sail for days and days, not sure of the distance but its a long distance affair. We flew to Tasmania on the 27th and were at the dock on the 29th when Loyal won the line honours at about 7:30pm...Wild Oats was within a couple 100 meters, which made it the closest race in 57 years...we got to see these to great massive sailboats tacking up the Derwent River at the end, it was thrilling. On the 31st we were there to see the last boat arrive...lots of cheering as the drawbridge lifted to let the crew dock at there appointed birth...I never knew how many yacht racing fans there were in the world...the crowd was enthusiastic and clapped loudly everytime a boat was announced as finishing...remember this happened everyday all day for 4 days! After the finishers dock the crowd is allowed to venture out and take pictures, talk to the crew and even get up close and personal to these marvelous boats. My favorite was Wild Oats...the colors and look were sleek and beautiful, too bad she only came in 2nd. One person I talked to told me the Main sail cost 14 Million Dollars...a very rich man's sport.

The finish was thrilling.

Loyal by a couple 100 meters...

The winner.

Wild Oats 2nd...but still beautiful.

All waves from Sydney lead to Constitution Dock.

The winners stand.

The perfect sponsor.

Great Van...

Let the parties begin

Sailors are full of BS and Beers.

Huge masts.

3rd place finisher.

Look at all the flags and rigging...

This young girl is a national treasure...and a great sailor.

The final arrival...big crowd and huge cheers.

     As always Nanc and I are loving being by the sea...the water is peaceful and calming...unbelievable that we feel this way and live in Colorado! We will enjoy these next few months and our continued proximity to the Ocean.