Sam Haynes, announced the provisional overall winner of the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart, never dreamed he would hold the Tattersall Cup in his hands again, after selling his TP52 Celestial late this year.
But a mid-December charter of Willow, a Volvo Open 70 owned by Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant, made his target a reality.
Commodore Haynes had won the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart after finishing runner-up in 2021, on the losing end of a protest.
What he didn’t know at the time he chartered Willow this year, was that the weather would play right into the hands of the yacht and his dedicated crew for the 2024 race.
“I always wanted to sail a Volvo 70 and I wanted to do the race as a Commodore, so when the chance came up, I took it,” Commodore Haynes said.
“I am as pleased that I chartered this boat, not knowing what the weather would be at the time,” Commodore Haynes said.
“It was the perfect weather for this boat,” he said of the design that was built for the then named Volvo Ocean Race, a race that features significant downwind and reaching conditions.
Commodore Haynes conceded: “It was a tough race, plenty of wind, plenty of waves.”
On winning for a second time – and with just one race in between - the Sydney veterinarian admitted: “It does have a different feel about it, this race. The loss of life of two competitors – we are mindful of that – my thoughts are with the families.
“And those yachts that suffered damage and had to retire, among them URM Group (Anthony and David Johnston) – they would have been one of our main rivals in the conditions we received, along with Wild Thing 100,” he said.
“The weather was right for those boats, and I know Wild Thing had things go wrong in the race, but they still finished top three.”
Haynes, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, said the 2022 had been a “life changing moment”.
“So, to be able to back it up (in 2024) and to have the wonderful achievement of sailing with my crew, it is an achievement. Most of crew from 2022 were with me - and the rest have sailed with me in other races,” he said.
Sam Haynes and his crew, including navigator Alex Nolan, tactician Rob Greenhalgh, Lewis Brake, David Burt, David Chapman, Peter Cumming, Edward Hackney, Jack Macartney, Francis O’Leary, William Haynes, Luke Parkinson, Luke Payne, Liam Woulfe and Harry West. being presented with the George Adams Tattersall Cup Photo: Carlo Borlenghi
The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and its organiser, the CYCA, have been supported by Rolex since 2002, and are cornerstones of its longstanding relationship with the sport.
The CYCA Commodore said he was doubly blessed, as one of his sons, William, was aboard with him.
“William and I sailed the 2016 race together (on what is now Smuggler and currently placed fifth Overall) and I got him to come back on the VO70. He always wanted to sail on one. It’s fantastic to have him on for the win. It’s special for the family, it’s made a stronger bond between us,” he said.
“He performed really well on the boat, and it was lovely to have him there. I am so proud of William because he did so well, but I knew he would, from our last Hobart together.”
Commodore Haynes was still taking stock of the fact he has won what has been a difficult race.
“It’s dawning on me that I nearly won in 2021, won in 2022, one year break and then won in 2024 – on a boat we only signed up to charter mid-December,” he said and leaving him little time to practice and get to know the boat.
“With the crew I’ve got, I knew they would dial it in very quickly, because they have the experience. Some have sailed Volvos before. Then the weather played in our favour – but it’s so awesome to do it.
“I just give the crew my upmost respect. And I thank them,” he said of navigator Alex Nolan, tactician Rob Greenhalgh, Lewis Brake, David Burt, David Chapman, Peter Cumming, Edward Hackney, Jack Macartney, Francis O’Leary, William Haynes, Luke Parkinson, Luke Payne, Liam Woulfe and Harry West.
“To put together a winning crew that gels and backs each other and takes on a major race, whatever the conditions, racing the boat the whole time and giving their full and accurate sailing…,” he said.
The yachtsman said they were expecting the forecast westerly shift in Bass Strait.
“We knew that was where we could make it, but we had to do it right,” he said.
“It was our strength. The guys had to manage a very powered up boat in a rough sea state and strong wind.”
He said Celestial had four main drivers.
“Jack Macartney had to do stints back-to-back, he was on wheel for three hours shifts. That’s hard in the conditions we had. Luke Parkinson did a lot of the Bass Strait driving too. Rob Greenhalgh also drove,” he said.
“Rob is our tactician and with Alex (Nolan) and Jack (Macartney) they in particular looked at the game plan before the race. Rob has won four out of his five Hobarts, two with me.
“I don’t know if I’ll be back. I do love the race, although there are parts that you don’t – the anxiety, the lead-up, responsibility as an owner or skipper - and the money.
“I don’t want to do the race if I don’t feel I’ve got a shot at it, although I always go out to win.
“Once you’ve got yourself working with a crew like this and getting the results … what would it be like, not doing it, I wonder?
“I wanted to do the race as a Commodore and I dreamt I could win it as a Commodore, it is a dream.
“John Keelty (a CYCA Life Member) was always so supportive of me and passionate. He told me he was so pleased I was doing the race. It’s fantastic to have people who believe in you.
“It’s also good for the Club to be in a position to have a commodore that is racing in such an iconic race, I think.”
He pondered the question of whether the ‘Hobart’ is worth it.
“It’s hard to imagine a life without it,” he said.
“You become so ingrained. I’ve done 14 Hobarts and 13 as a skipper – 15 years’ worth of racing for the Hobart (including the cancelled 2020 race due to COVID).
“There is no better ending to the race – looking at a performance perspective, you have to appreciate how much you won by (just over 10 hours overall).
“Peter Shipway said to me that the time was a very big margin.”
“My other son, Joseph, came to Hobart to support us,” Commodore Haynes said.
“That was special having him there supporting and congratulating us.
“My fiancé Mel -- we’ll be married in February -- family and friends and all those who came to support us. I am so lucky,” he said.
Celestial V70 sailing downwind Photo: Carlo Borlenghi
