Sydney to Hobart on Boxing Day

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is 628 nautical miles in length, through many treacherous conditions, down the east coast of New South Wales, Victoria, across the Bass Strait to Hobart in southern Tasmania.

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Some 87 yachts of varying sizes, nationalities and crew numbers, rallied in Sydney Harbour ready to cross that starting line.

It was not a clear or smooth day to say the least.

The starting gun fires and they are off

A very tight start

The spinnakers go up as they head out through the Harbour's heads to the South Pacific Ocean and the threatened southerly waiting for them.

This year my concentration is on the 18 yr old Jessica Watson, who sailed around the world at the age of 16, how serious does she look skippering this yacht - The Ella Bache - in this incredible race.

One has to be 18 years old to sail this race, and Jessica's crew were the youngest ever to partake in the Sydney to Hobart marathon - their average age was 19!!!

She and her crew had been in training for over 3 months, including a trial trip on the Ella Bache, Sydney to Hobart and return in November.

Jessica wasn't fazed about what was ahead of her, with the exception that this was a "Race" with a team she was in charge of for 4 days,

where in contrast "sailing around the world is slow and steady and sticking it out, hanging out by myself for 210 days.

There were 8 "Sydney 38" class of Yacht in this year's race, so she was also in her race against them.

Well she, her crew and the pink Ella Bache sailed into Hobart

2nd in the "Sydney 38" class and 37th out of 87 competing yachts - some of them huge Maxis. Jessica's reward was to be thrown into the drink by her very happy crew The actual winner was a huge Maxi - the Investec Loyal, who beat the winner of the last 6 years - Wild Oats (NZ) by 2 minutes - what an incredible finish. And of course they all celebrated at Constitution Dock, Hobart, for a wonderful New Year - everyone safe, and just a few battered yachts.

We spent 10 days in Hobart staying right opposite Constitution Dock in February 2007, the wonderful Timber Boat Festival was on, and we spent much time sailing on the Tall ships, the Enterprise and the replica of Captain Cook's, the Endeavour. Also took time out to really check out Hobart, it's wonderful markets and historic pubs, and who can forget those special "scallop" pies. Just a great place in our books.