Locals savour shot at Sydney-Hobart
GEELONG sailor Paul Buchholz will lead the local charge at this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race aboard Extasea.
Buchholz is set to compete in the 75th running of the historic race, which starts on Boxing Day, before turning his attention closer home to home for the 177th Festival of Sails.
The owner and skipper of the racing yacht will lead a predominantly local crew into the Sydney to Hobart, with 12 of his team from Geelong.
The Barwon Heads local and his crew will fly the flag for the city and will be joined by Geelong yacht Moody Buoys on the journey south.
Buchholz, a life member at Royal Geelong Yacht Club, first competed in the Sydney to Hobart in 1976, but said this year’s race would be a different experience.
“We have only had (the boat) here for two weeks so we are just learning (about it),” Buchholz said.
“It’s a steep learning curve so it will be a nice gentle sail down to Hobart. We are not going to go flat out, we are just going to learn the boat and see how we go with it.
“In the 50th anniversary (of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race) there were 312 boats. It was an unbelievable and colourful start with a spinnaker set as they charged down the harbour.
“This one, with 170 boats will be a bit different, especially with the smoke haze still around Sydney Harbour. It will still be a huge send-off when we leave Sydney Harbour.”
Buchholz and his crew have spent the past two weeks doing last-minute preparations to the yacht, including a full maintenance program, keel adjustments and sign-writing, before it sailed for Sydney on Tuesday.
He said the conditions from Sydney to Hobart would be challenging but it was a case of knowing the boat and sailing cautiously rather than going all-out.
The Festival of Sails, from January 25 to 27, will be Buchholz’s next assignment closer to home, and he said it had become a must-attend event on the calendar.
“In the last couple of years we have been in Cruising with Spinnakers. It’s really relaxed and fun and you get to enjoy the facilities,” he said.
“It’s like the party weekend of years gone by. Everyone gets to enjoy themselves after a busy Christmas period and enjoy the whole atmosphere of the yacht club.
“We are out to enjoy ourselves but compete the best we can.”