Trio ride out the storm

Albany’s Sydney-to-Hobart sailing trio have returned home after completing one of the world’s biggest ocean races.

Southern Ocean Sailing owner and team leader Mark McRae said the team crossed the finish line just after midnight on New Year’s Day, with fireworks setting off as they sailed in.

Despite being among the last few vessels to finish, the crew, including fellow Albany sailors Steve Lee and Corrina Ridgway, was overwhelmingly happy with the journey.

“It was the most amazing experience from start to finish — as the race begun, the excited spectator fleet, helicopters in the air — it was pretty overwhelming actually,” he said.

“It was an incredible race and journey and I’m very excited to enter and do it again next year.”

Despite the fires on the east coast, Mr McRae said conditions were extremely clear on the first day, with any smoke blown inland, rather than out to sea.

“The further south we got the more the winds started to drop off and eventually we had to sail for 32 hours with practically no wind,” he said.

“There was one day, as we were getting close to Tasmania, when we got hit with a really nasty storm.

“The conditions were rough, the winds were around 45km/h, almost 50 km/h, and on a small boat it really kept us on our toes.

“But one of the larger boats that was near us actually turned around and stood alongside us while we got things organised, which was terrific.”