In early 2011 we prepared Erica to sail southwards from Sydney for the first time, heading home to Adelaide with owner/skipper Phil at the helm. Peta decided to fly home because the sail from Mackay to Sydney had been extremely rough in the lead up to the 2010-11 "Summer of Storms" in Queensland. The sail home was meant to be a "Boys own" adventure, with Michael and Denis joining the crew in Sydney, and what an adventure it became. We departed the CYCA Rushcutters Bay on 12 January 2011 at 0710hours, and arrived RSAYS Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide on 27 January 2011 at 1215hours. Along the way we had an extended stay in Lakes Entrance, Victoria, while Phil travelled by car to Melbourne for a funeral. After that short break, we continued homewards. The weather for this entire delivery trip varied between rough seas/no wind, rough sea/gale conditions, calm sea/fog and occasionally, some really great sailing conditions with dolphins dancing at the bow...
Very bleak day departing Sydney
Weather improved part of day one!
Finished the day with head winds and rain entering Jervis Bay at dusk
The last time Phil was at the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was in 1981 when he was a crew member on SA competitor Adria. In 1981 there were 159 starters and even though he finished near the end of the fleet it was a fantastic experience with a magnificent spinnaker start that year. So to be back in 2010 and to see up close the changes in technology and being in the middle of the action was a highlight for all Erica's crew. Sadly Erica wasn't there but the crew enjoyed the luxury and vantage point on a very large luxury ferry which was allowed onto the race course in the Harbour.
The weather started wet and overcast but we were happy to be there catching up with our friend Kingsley doing his 28th Hobart on Chutzpah and with 3 SA yachts competing. Last years winner was from SA - Two True and regular competitor Secret Mens Business and new boat Shinning Sea. As we do this post Secret Mens Business has been announced the provisional 2010 winner so GO South Australia!
We are loving our stay in Sydney so Enjoy as we are...
Brollies and Jackets before the start
Kinglsey relaxed before his 28th Hobart
Phil on Chutzpah a 40 footer
Secret Mens Business leaves the marina
Wild Thing's tight start at our end
This was up close and exciting
Wild Oats powers off the windward side
Living Doll with man up mast early after start
Living Doll off and racing
Secret Mens getting gassed at the Heads
Phil really enjoying the action from a different vantage point
Say No More Crew in the Action
SA hope for a win Two True
SA new hope Shinning Sea going out the Heads
Sue capturing the action
Original Fisherman's squatter huts near Sydney Heads
The very happy Erica Crew on the Harbour
The best way to finish a fantastic day with the sun shinning!
It has been fantastic to have Amy, Greg and Chris (sadly Nicole was working) fly into Sydney to share part of Christmas together. It was great fun touring around this fabulous harbour taking photo's in and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We enjoyed a delicious roast turkey dinner under the stars (yes good weather at last) in our marina at Birkenhead point. Then sadly after farewelling Chris off back to Adelaide on Christmas morning we enjoyed a very sunny Christmas Day at anchor in Rose Bay before finishing off with a brisk sail back under the harbour bridge. Enjoy as we certainly are...
Welcome to Erica's cruising adventures from Sydney to Lizard Is and now home in South Australia
The adventures of Erica cruising and sailing continue in South Australia from February 2011. See old posts for the earlier cruising in Queensland.
Welcome to Erica's 2008 Cruise in Queensland
Erica is a 40' Beneteau Sloop puchased in Pittwater in April 2007 and this is the story of her, and her crew's cruising adventure along the Queensland Coast starting in Brisbane April 2008 and bound for the Whitsunday Islands, Lizard Island and then back to Adelaide via Tasmania in early 2011.
