Sydney to Hobart sailors scatter rose petals in touching Bondi tribute
Sailors in this year’s Sydney-Hobart regatta attended a touching tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack that killed 15 people.
Organizers had planned to scatter rose petals along the banks of Bondi as a “quiet, symbolic gesture”.
What they didn’t expect was so many sailors wanting to participate.
The gesture went beyond the initial plan of 15 boats, with “large numbers” of sailors across the entire 129-boat fleet handing out flowers.
Olympian Ian Thorpe scattered roses from the back of the LawConnect boat with captain Christian Beck.
Sam Haynes, commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, said at the mandatory race briefing that this respect was something that resonated well beyond the sailing community.
“The commemoration that we are talking about for the tragic events at Bondi has been very well received by the Jewish community but has also been recognized internationally around the world and of course here in Australia,” Mr Haynes told the assembled flotilla.
Extra roses had been supplied by flower company Mr Roses in anticipation of sailors wishing to attend.
“We actually have plenty,” Mr. Haynes said.
“Mr. Roses provided extra supplies in case we wanted them, so I guess that’s what we’re doing.”
The race is now underway with the maxi yachts passing Coogee at around 1.30pm.
Sailors can expect a challenging first night at sea, with treacherous surf conditions and strong southerly winds.
“It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be wet, it’s going to be bumpy, people will get seasick, there will be incidents and there will probably be injuries,” race director Lee Goddard said Wednesday.
“Prepare yourself well for this. There will be retirements not only due to technical malfunctions, but also due to reasons such as people getting seasick or unwell.”
The official racing distance from Sydney to Hobart is 628 nautical miles or approximately 1163 km.
Completion times vary from year to year, and supermaxis are generally completed in about two days.
