Korean skipper seeks wild race
THERE’S a saying in English, be careful what you wish for, and Sydney to Hobart skipper Andrew Rho says there is a similar one in Korean.
But he’s still happy to declare he wants this year’s race to Hobart to be much harder than last year’s easy run south.
Rho and his team are one of 28 international entries lining up in the 73rd edition of a race which has claimed world headlines on numerous occasions for the damage to the fleet and general race mayhem when the conditions get tough.
The stormy 2015 race, where numerous yachts were sent to the sidelines with damage in a wild first night, including Wild Oats X1, was Rho’s first.
His second, on the Korean entrant Sonic which is racing again this year, was mild in comparison and it left him wanting more of an experience.
“We came here last year and the weather was too easy,’’ said Rho.
The Sydney to Hobart regularly attracts international sailors with Geraldo Inojoque believed to be its first Peruvian. He explains the reputation and status of the race to his friends using a football analogy.
“It is like being able to play for Barcelona in one match against Real Madrid,’’ said Inojoque, from the Clipper round the world boat Garmin.
Canadian Sam Harper is also doing her first race on the Clipper boat Dare to Lead heat in Australia.
Hailing from Labrador, across the water from Greenland, Harper is more used to sub- zero conditions.
“It’s minus 40 where I come from,’’ and is feeling the Harper said.
Also back in the race is the Chinese yacht DeRussi, along with Karl Kwok’s Hong Kong entry Beau Geste, one of the contenders for the overall honours.