Wine, Wind and Waves. Palandri onboard the 2007 Sydney to Hobart
12 Sep 2007
Palandri Wines winemaker Ben Roodhouse has begun preparations to compete in his first Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, aboard Palandri Wines Minds Eye.
Ben, who will take up the position of bowman on the boat owned by local Busselton yachtsman Brad Skeggs for the gruelling 628 nautical mile voyage, has balanced the strict safety, fitness and training regime required of entrants into the race, with the demands of another successful Palandri Wines vintage.
“Our crew’s preparation for the race has been going extremely well and has included compulsory theoretical as well as practical training,” explains Ben.
“By far, the worst training we had to do was being dropped off a boat into freezing water off Mandurah, swimming to a inverted life raft in full wet weather gear and attempting to board. The cold water wasn’t nearly as bad as the shadows I kept seeing below,” said Ben.
“We have also been doing intensive fitness training to ensure our bodies can cope with the long summer racing season ahead, which has been challenging at times, especially now vintage is finished and I’ve found myself enjoying a little too much of the region’s fine food and wine. Each glass of wine means I have to ride my bike an extra five kilometres!” he exclaimed.
Although this is Ben’s maiden Sydney to Hobart, Palandri Wines Minds Eye’s crew has a combined experience of fifteen prior Tasman crossings and includes Brad Skeggs (owner and skipper), Geoff Bishop (internationally renowned sailor and sail maker) and several crewmembers who have raced with success internationally.
Aside from the practical, safety and fitness training for the crew, getting Palandri Wines Mind’s Eye to the race’s Sydney Harbour start line represents a major logistical exercise for a Western Australian-based yacht.
“Our first step on the long road to Sydney Harbour is the Fremantle to Geraldton yacht race in early November, which is the qualifying round for the Sydney to Hobart for Western Australian-based yachts.
“Then, in late November, Palandri Wines Mind’s Eye will be carried on truck from Port Geographe to Sydney to compete in the Rolex series immediately prior to the Sydney Hobart,” explains Ben.
Following the Sydney to Hobart, Palandri Wines Mind’s Eye will cruise to Geelong to compete in the Skandia Geelong Race week, the largest regatta in the southern hemisphere. And, for her final race in the summer series, she will be trucked home to Busselton in time for the Geographe Bay Race Week.
The Sydney to Hobart starts on Boxing Day and Palandri Wines Mind’s Eye is hoping to finish on either 30 or 31 December depending on weather conditions. And, thanks to onboard technology, Palandri Wines Mind’s Eye’s progress can be tracked via the race’s official website and Ben will be able to keep keen fans posted via onboard Internet and email.
No matter where they finish in the race, one thing’s for sure, the crew will look forward to one or two glasses of well-deserved Palandri Wine in Hobart at the finish line.