White Spirit – Cabbage Tree Island Race 2025
Role: Helmsperson (2IC recognition)
Owner: Cyrus Allen and Commodore of ORVC
As part of our lead‑up to the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the crew of White Spirit flew to Sydney to compete in the Cabbage Tree Island Yacht Race, one of the key offshore events in the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore series. This race is a solid test for offshore crews and covers around 172 nautical miles, taking the fleet from Sydney Harbour north to round Cabbage Tree Island off Port Stephens and back — and many teams use it as a final readiness check before Hobart.
On the return leg of the race, we sailed into a strong southerly front with shifting winds and intense conditions. During the worst of it, we encountered winds building up very quickly, and peak apparent wind speeds in the front were recorded up to 74 knots — conditions that few crews get to see outside of major offshore events. The crew responded well, we saw it coming, and we pre‑emptively reefed sails and positioned the team for what was ahead.
I was on the helm through the front. Being the helmsperson in those conditions required anticipation, control and an ability to read both the wind and the boat while managing balance and speed. The way the crew pulled together, and the level of execution in sail handling and communication, was commented on positively by others in the racing community and within the team.
In recognition of the way I handled the boat through that stormy return leg, Cyrus Allen — current Commodore of the ORCV — appointed me as Second in Command (2IC) for White Spirit for the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race later that season.
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