Sydney to Hobart starts here

“Training turns into trust at night. That is when a team becomes fast.” Sharon Ferris-Choat

The December training camp ran at race pace for one reason. When the gun goes on Boxing Day, we want every manoeuvre and call to feel like muscle memory. We welcomed two new crew, opened with a full safety brief, and set the standard for clear language and shared responsibility. Then we went to work.

Training camp
We cycled through tacks and gybes while calibrating instruments so numbers and feel told the same story. We refined sail crossovers and trimming, matched helming cadence to the sea state, and kept navigation decisions flowing into mode changes. After sunset we repeated the manoeuvres in low light with calm comms and no wasted motion. Every run fed our performance log so we can link settings to speed, not to guesswork. Systems checks wrapped each session so the boat finished the day as ready as it started.

Race preparation
Paperwork is complete and Category 1 spot checks are signed off. Personal gear is checked and stowed where hands find it in the dark. Vixen is clean, serviced, and loaded with the required water and diesel. We have selected the race sail plan and we are tracking the models for 26 December, shaping a strategy that fits the forecast window rather than forcing a favourite idea.

The goal is simple. Make the boat second nature, then raise the bar. We will protect rest windows, keep nutrition and hydration real, and hold the line on tidy execution. Sydney to Hobart rewards teams that convert practice into poise when the pressure arrives. We are ready to turn preparation into miles.