There were a few sore heads when we met at 7am this morning to pack the container for its return journey.

Everyone had boxed up their dry kit for the journey home making the packing much easier than before.

Led by bosun Matt White the process was smooth and efficent.  With all hands on deck the contanier was sealed after 8 hours of hard work.



We have many people to thank for making this trip a success. 
Firstly our sponsors Karcher, Empowered Systems, Paradigm, Premium Liferafts, Qube, Apcoa and Franklin without whom the trip would not have been possible.

Steve Corby and Matt White our coaches.  They have been great and the team has been well supported on the water with information, advice and guidance.

Thanks must go to all parents in the team.  The shore base support has been brilliant and everyone has made a contribution - thank you all

To Jill Abel and all the crew at Sandy Bay Sailing Club for a wonderful event

To the competitors Team GBR - you have done us proud! Here are - your highlights !!

Finally thank you all for your support.  We hope you have enjoyed keeping up to date with our progress.  There are lots of stories to tell when we get home and some life long memories to treasure.

Thank you all!

Team GBR got together this evening having experienced the hottest day on record for Hobart registering 42 degrees.  Packing the container this afternoon was not an option however washing and drying boats, sails and kit was a breeze!!

Holly Anderson supported by the team Mums pulled together a presentation memento photo and all the team collected signatures of their team mates

At an impromtu 'finish the Pimms' party the coaches were presented with a thank you from the team and offered a perfect back drop for team photos.


Moving to the presentation event the flags were lowered by each team singing their national anthem unaccompanied on the lawn followed by the formal presentation in the marquee.  Sandy Bay is a small club run by volunteers and the only sailing members are children.  Yet under the leadership of Commodore Jill Abel supported by her team they hosted a wonderful evening and a fantastic event.


Team GBR was very proud that bronze was accepted by Alex Corby and Robert Keen.  Robert made an outstanding speech of thanks on behalf of the team GBR bringing a tear to the coaches eye.  Emma White and Ellie Wootton accepted 9th place award with huge pride narrowly missing first female helm by 4 points.


With grateful thianks Jill and her team were presented with a bottle of Pimms with from team GBR for being wonderful hosts.

An uncomfortable night for all being the hottest on record for Tasmania the team met in relative cool of the morning breeze for the daily briefing.

Coaches briefing was ambiguous given a forecast of 50 knot winds but early conditions looked light.
Launching on time the fleet headed off to the course on the far side of the river in much lighter airs than expected. 

Race 11 The fleet got off under a black flag following a general recall with Wilson/Fitzsimmons, White/Wootton and Sutton/Anderson in the top 10 round the first windward. With the wind shifting during the race team GBR finished with Wilson/Fitzsimmons 17th, Sutton/Anderson 20th, White/Wootton 24th.

Race 12
Waiting for wind between races it filled in over Mount Wellington like a hair dryer gusting 30 to 40 knots.  The fleet started cleanly under a black flag with Corby/Keen rounding the first windward in 3rd, White/Wootton in 5th and Sutton/Anderson in 10th.  With 4 capsizes in the first 6 leading boats at the gybe mark positions changed with White/Wootton moving up to 2nd at the leeward followed by Corby/Keen in 5th.


A real nail biter final race resulted in White/Wootton 2nd, Corby/Keen 6th, Sutton/Anderson 9th.

In over 40 degrees of heat and bush fire threats all round Hobart, we are not looking forward to packing the container later today

Prizegiving will be this evening with overall results for team GBR as follows
Corby/Keen 3rd, White/Wootton 9th, Wilson/Fitzsimmons 11th, Sutton/Anderson 15th, Yale/Chatterton 27th, Barr/Barr 29th, D'Arcy/Barr 38th, Speirs/Speirs 45th, Speirs/Bates 48th

A fantastic result all round in a unpredicatble series with some really tough sailing conditions. Credit must be given to the Urkrainan team with an outstanding performance finishing in 1st and 2nd.  Team GBR have delivered a performance to be proud of with four boats in the top 15 and the team delivering a credible performance all round!

Thursday dawned with a warm northerly wind blowing a constant 20 to 25 knots and Team GBR keen as mustard to get out there. Onshore Hobart  at 42° south sweltered in heatwave conditions, with temperatures of  33° C.

Race 9 started in an average wind reading of 22 knots with gusts up to 33 knots. The wind was consistent in direction but not so in strength, oscillating between 12 knots to 33 knots! However the race got away on time and from the start the GBR boats  were on the front foot with Corby/Keen leading followed by White/Wootton and Wilson/Fitzsimmons in the top 10 round the windward mark.

After the lead changing a couple of times in what was an extremely windy and exciting race Corby/Keen finished 3rd with White/Wootton in 8th and Wilson/Fitzsimmons 11th.

The wind continued to blow hard and with gusts coming through at 43knots the race officer abandoned for the day.

Overall positions at the end of day 4 Corby/Keen 3rd, White Wootton 8th, Wilson/Fitzsimmons 11th, Sutton/Anderson 16th, Yale/Chatterton, Barr/Barr , D'Arcy/Barr , Speirs/Speirs and Speirs/Bates.


The forecast is not looking great for tomorrow we are hoping for two quick ones before too much wind and too much sun!

With a steady 12kt breeze - a first in itself, the race officer was keen to get the fleet on the water.
A clean start saw race 7 led by Corby/Keen at the first windward with 4 GBR boats in the top 10. Holding the lead all the way Corby/Keen brought home the first GBR win of the event, with Wilson/Fitzsimmons 8th and Yale/Chatterton 15th.


Race 8 with a bit more breeze commenced cleanly with Wilson/Fitzsimmons taking 2nd place at the first windward followed by D'Arcy/Barr 6th. With a wind shift favoring the left, places were hard to gain, resulting in Wilson/Fitzsimmons 8th, Corby/Keen 19th and White/Wootton 23rd.


Overall positions at the end of day 3, Corby/Keen 3rd, Wilson/Fitzsimmons 13th, White/Wootton 14th, Sutton/Anderson 17th, Yale/Chatterton 28th, Barr/Barr 29th, D'Arcy/Barr 38th, Speirs/Speirs   44th, Speirs/Bates 48th

The team also had a huge boost this week with a letter from HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York showing his support for the team.





We are all looking forward to two more days of racing with a bit more breeze forecast.

Taking a break from the water for the day people chose to take the opportunity to see a bit of the island.  Here are some of the things we have been up to!





Early nights for all though as tomorrow is a big day!!

Celebrating New Year Eve at one of the most famous parties in the world is a unique experience and team GBR celebrated in style.  Some took off into town to watch the fireworks from the dock.  Others got together for a BBQ and party at the sailing club.

Everyone grateful that New Year's day is a lay day!!

Monday started with a strong northerly, gusting 37 knots resulting in the race officer holding the fleet ashore for an hour.

With the wind decreasing to a more manageable 25 knots the fleet took to the water for two morning races.  The GBR fleet were itching to get out in the breeze.
Race 4 was dominated by team GBR with Corby/Keen 2nd, White/Wootton 5th and Wilson/Fitzsimmons 9th.


Race 5 saw gusts increasing in force and unpredictability.  Team GBR performed well again with Corby/Keen 4th, White/Wootton 7th and Wilson/Fitzsimmons 9th.

The afternoon race offered really challenging conditions with the wind coming down the mountain in unpredictable bullets challenging team GBR.  Corby/Keen fought back from 18th at the first windward to finish 7th with Sutton/Anderson 19th and Wilson/Fitzsimmons 23rd.










Overall a good day for GBR team with White, Corby and Wilson all managing top 10 results.
Two boats in the top 10 and 4 in the top 15 at the half way mark it is all to play for.


 Overall positions at the half way point Corby/Keen 3rd, White/Wootton 8th, Sutton/Anderson 13th, Wilson/Fitzsimmons 15th, Yale/Chatterton 30th, Barr/Barr 35th, D'Arcy/Barr 38th, Speirs/Speirs 43rd, Speirs/Bates 46th.