MAYFAIR ‘BULLETPROOF’
QUEENSLAND 46-footer Mayfair finished an “unheard-of” 10th in line honours in the 2021 Sydney to Hobart yacht race, fighting off the elements and an axe looming overhead in the form of a Covid-19 test to finish among the SuperMaxis.
Gold Coast sailor Xavier Doerr, 20, only received his negative test result at 6pm Wednesday, 18 hours before crossing the finish line.
A positive result would have forced the Mayfair to join an armada of more than 40 boats forced to retire from the race in the face of difficult conditions.
“We were just overwhelmed with relief,” said Doerr from Hobart’s River Derwent on Thursday.
“At that point we were leading our handicap, so it was pretty good to know we were still in it.
“It was so windy the water actually began to fill the air.
“We were going 45 knots completely keeled over, wearing ski goggles to stop the water from getting into our eyes and face masks so we weren’t breathing it in. The water was absolutely lashing your face and burning your skin but we were having a great time, laughing and having a ball.
“Other boats were getting torn apart – a whole division above us was decimated by the first night – but we were in our element, we were bulletproof.”
The Mayfair lost five hours on Thursday morning as calmer conditions buoyed the race’s heavyweights on their charge to the finish line.
Doerr said to finish 10th overall was one of the biggest highlights in his young sailing career.
“For a 46-foot boat, coming 10th in line honours is pretty unheard-of,” he said.
“We pulled in at midday and there were nine boats there: all racing thoroughbreds with fully professional crews.
“Racing against the best in the world, our little boat stacked up.”
Gold Coast 54-footer Maritimo finished one place behind the Mayfair, 11th in line honours, with a handicap victory in reach as others cross the line.
Skipper Michael Spies said: “It was a relief to hear the guns go and switch from Covid-mode to racing.”