South Australian yacht Clockwork is preparing for a fourth consecutive Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race after overcoming one of its toughest offshore challenges yet in 2025.
Co-owner Mary Ann Harvey admits she questioned her decision to return during the early stages of last year's race, which she described as the hardest conditions she has experienced at sea. "I did think 42 hours into last year's race, I would never ever do it again because that first 42 hours was so tough," Harvey said. "For me, it was the toughest 42 hours I've spent at sea. It was relentlessly bashy on the nose. I felt like there was no end in sight."
Storm Chase: Clockwork battles heavy seas and dramatic conditions off Tasmania during a previous Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, highlighting the challenge that continues to draw crews back. Photo: CYCA
The mood changed as conditions eased. Sunshine, following winds and calmer seas reminded the crew why they keep returning to the 628-nautical-mile classic. "The sun's out, the wind is behind you, there's some dolphins doing their thing," Harvey said. "And suddenly I realise this is why we do it — because when it's beautiful, it's beautiful."
Harvey, who co-owns the Sydney 38 with Andrew Lloyd, has completed three Sydney Hobarts aboard Clockwork and previously raced aboard Audacious in 2019.
Clockwork Ahead: The Sydney 38 Clockwork powers through Sydney Harbour during racing. Co-owners Mary Ann Harvey and Andrew Lloyd are preparing the South Australian yacht for a fourth Rolex Sydney Hobart campaign. Photo: CYCA
She says the appeal lies as much in teamwork as in the sailing itself. "It's the challenge of the team pulling together and getting through the tough stuff," she said. "I don't do the Sydney Hobart for the hard stuff. I do it for the fun stuff and the challenge."
Clockwork's 2026 programme begins with the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta in Victoria, followed by the second half of Sydney Harbour's Winter Series. The campaign then heads north for the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, the Southport to Mackay Race, Queensland race weeks and the GaLS Regatta in Townsville before returning south for the 81st Rolex Sydney Hobart.
Harvey said she is particularly proud of the programme's Corinthian nature. "For a budget, not sponsored, group of two, Andrew and I do an enormous amount of sailing around the coast and take a lot of people along for the ride with us," she said. Despite not repeating their Sydney 38 divisional victory from 2024, Clockwork completed the challenging 2025 race in a fleet where 35 boats retired from 128 starters.
Harvey believes the team's record of finishing the last three Sydney Hobarts is an achievement in itself. "We do a lot of racing with all sorts of people, all around the country," she said. "We've been enjoying that over the last few years and are really looking forward to another eight months of adventure, with the Sydney Hobart towards the end of it."
