This year’s Sydney to Hobart had a very strong link to the Central Coast as local sailors Reece and Liam Woulfe were part of the crew of the Line Honours winning super maxi sail boat Blackjack.
Of course Central Coast sailors have featured prominently on the world stage for many years, with world champion Tom Slingsby maintaining strong ties with Gosford Sailing Club.
Reece talked to Central Coast Newspapers about the challenging ordeal while sailing back to Sydney. The vessel took just two days, 12 hours and 37 minutes to complete, arriving at 1:37 am into Hobart, comfortably ahead of prized favorites Law Connect and SHK Scallywag.
“From the beginning of the race we knew the first 24hrs were going to be tough for us, the strong southerly favoured the other two 100fts Law Connect and Scallywag” said Reece
“With the breeze dropping off along the coast of Tasmania in the forecast our team knew we just had to keep the distance between us and the leading boat as small as possible, we didn’t expect Blackjack would be leading the fleet for majority of the race!
“The aggressive sea state along the coast line made for a bumpy ride but once we sailed across the bass strait we finally hit smoother water and that’s where we began to put some good distance between us and the other boats
“It’s been an incredible experience being apart of the Blackjack team over the past 2 years and to be surrounded by some of the most experienced and talented sailors Australia has to offer has been a privilege.
“This was my first Hobart and to do it along side one of my best mates Liam Woulfe just made the win that much sweeter!” said Reece
Blackjack will sail back to Sydney now where we can continue to modify, improve and prepare for the next race to come.
Reece, a former Kincumber High School student will now return to work at McConaghy Boats in Gosford.
CCN