Dutch boat final Hobart entry

Peter Campbell reports on the build-up to the Sydney-Hobart

The Dutch entrant Quiddity has sailed 17,000 miles to compete in Australia’s most famous bluewater classic, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, adding another 630 nautical miles to her logbook.

The CYCA confirmed yesterday that the boat has qualified to enter after passing its compulsory stability test and owner Peter Hoving and partner Josette Verkerk are delighted with the outcome.

Early Sunday morning, the Grand Soleil 43 was re-inclined and remeasured by an Australian Yachting Federation measurer and today they received their IMS certificate showing they comply with the stability requirement for this Category 1 Race.

Quiddity is the third Dutch boat to enter the annual event, the last was in 1971, that finishes in Hobart Tasmania, the island discovered by the Dutch explorer Abel Janzoon Tasman who named the island Van Dieman’s Land in 1642 in honour of the Dutch Governor of Batavia.

After competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, Peter and Josette will continue their world voyage for another 18 months, visiting 20 countries and cruising over 45,000 nautical miles.

Entries for the 58th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race closed on Monday, 2 December at 5.00pm. The CYCA is extremely pleased that the 57 yachts that applied to enter in early November had satisfied all the requirements and would be lining up for the start on Boxing Day in Sydney Harbour.