Sydney Australia – December 26 – Prior to the start of the Sydney to Hobart Race the legends gathered to bless the fleet of the 70th edition race.
Thirty-six past participants of the Sydney to Hobart race were led by Historic RAN vessel HMAS Advance, and three famous yachts from the inaugural race in 1945, Kathleen Gillett (kindly been made available by The Australian National Maritime Museum, skippered by Phil McKendrick), and Wayfarer, now owned by Peter and Gayle Smith, and Archina II
HMAS ADVANCE – An Attack Class Patrol Boat built in 1967 in Queensland. Served extensively in northern Australian waters as an armed patrol boat. On loan from the RAN, acted as start boat for numerous early Sydney to Hobart Races. Now part of the fleet of historic vessels maintained by the Australian National Maritime Museum.
1. KATHLEEN GILLETT – Colin Archer Gaff-Rigged Yawl – LOA: 44’0″ / 13.4M – The famous double-ended ketch Kathleen Gillett was built for Sydney artist and sailor Jack Earl and his wife Kathleen. Mr. Earl was a founding father of both the CYCA and the Sydney to Hobart Race. Kathleen became the second Australian yacht to circumnavigate the globe. Restored and gifted to the ANMM by the Norwegian Government as a Bi-centennial gift in 1976.
2. WAYFARER – John Alden Ketch – LOA: 40’0″ / 12.2M – Built for owner Peter Luke, also a founding father of the CYCA and Sydney to Hobart Race. Now owned by Peter and Gayle Smith who are restoring her to her former glory.
3. ARCHINA II – 1933 Bermudan Ketch – LOA: 52″0″ / 15.9M – Built for Phil Goldstein, and sailed in the inaugural race in 1945