The 71st
edition of the race saw a fleet of 108 yachts sail out of Sydney Harbour on
Boxing Day, with some harsh weather conditions awaiting the sailors early on. As
always, yacht and personnel durability were of high importance, with lightning,
thunder, rough waters and blustery winds greeting the fleet. Almost a third of
the starting yachts were forced to retire, many within the first 24 hours sailing
down the NSW coast.
Despite encountering
some horrible conditions, Balance owner
Paul Clitheroe praised his rig’s durability, having had no problems throughout
the race.
“Given the issues other
boats have had with masts, it’s a very positive statement,” said Mr Clitheroe.
“Clearly it is a critical element in
Balance’s success… As
the boat has now won two Hobarts with this mast, it clearly does its job and
has done so for many years, at times under extreme conditions.”
To cap off a
great 2015 year for Hall Spars & Rigging, it was not only Balance that added to Hall Spars’ resume
of successful yachts, but also Chinese
Whisper, coming in fifth in line honours, taking out division honours in
class zero, and finishing in an incredible fifth on IRC. This result comes in
the wake of a number of top results, including a second place in the Sydney to
Gold Coast race in July.
The biggest shock of the race was the retirement of
eight-time line honours winner Wild Oats
XI on the first night. The 100 footer had been the first to finish the
previous three years, but was forced to retire with a destroyed mainsail – proof
of the harsh conditions this years’ sailors faced.
Despite the
weather throughout the race, Hall Spars’ supremacy shone through, with not one
of the 12-strong fleet of
Hall Spars-equipped yachts reporting any mast problems throughout the race.
But until the
yachts line up again on Boxing Day this year, it’s Balance, and Hall Spars, who sit on top of the pack.
