Rolex Sydney Hobart: Rum Rebellion Retirement Update

J/99 Rum Rebellion - Blue Water Pointscore Series © Andrea Francolini / Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Rum Rebellion (Shane Connelly & Tony Sutton), which retired from the race overnight, has returned to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

More detail on the boat’s retirement is now available.

Skipper Shane Connelly has reported the following:

• At 6pm on 26 December they were between Cronulla and Wollongong and approximately 20nm out to sea
  
• The yacht was running a full mainsail and spinnaker in 6-10 knots of wind
  
• The wind suddenly increased to 16 knots and the crew saw an unusual, “ferocious” looking storm cloud approaching behind
  
• The crew began to drop the spinnaker, with Shane moving forward on the boat to reach a tack line as part of the precautions to reduce sail
  
• A micro- burst of wind hit the boat, causing a knockdown
  
• Both crew were wearing lifejackets
  
• Shane was thrown overboard on the port side as the boat was knocked down. He attached his tether back to the boat and, as the boat righted, Shane was lifted back on board
  
• Tony remained onboard the boat
  
• Shane reported that all the alarm systems on the boat worked effectively, his lifejacket inflated and AIS activated instantly and all the safety drills and procedures worked to plan
  
• Shane and Tony regrouped and retrieved the spinnaker for the water
  
• With concerns that Shane may have concussion, the pair decided to retire
  
• Both Shane and Tony report they are OK
  
• Shane says “The Safety Drills and systems all worked and we could sort ourselves out”
  

Rum Rebellion powered up - photo © Bow Caddy Media

For the full list of entries and more information about the race, visit rolexsydneyhobart.com.