Start of the return to Holland

January 2, 2009

We never ever ever had such a good time after a victory. Everyone in Hobart has been enjoying with us our win in IRC4 Class and in the last two days we received more than 300 best wishes resp. congratulations from all over the world, including sources of whom I had no idea they were following either the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race or the Winsome webpage. An incredible success which we celebrated for 48 hrs consective hours in Hobart.

My speech at the pricegiving to thank CYCA and RTYC in which I honestly admitted that we have been unable to read the waves resp. that we did not understand them, was very well received. The entire crew received many many compliments about our race resp. about our meticulous preparation including the delivery of Winsome by Sevenstar. No one ever heard about Sevenstar so there is work to do here for Sevenstar’s staff.

We left Hobart this morning at 1045 where we said good bye to Frank and Margeretha and to Reima so we are on board now with 6.

Peter and Coby [Rotterdam] Dobromilsky were so kind to say good bye to us. The day before they organised that the Dutch consul of Tasmania came to see us. RTYC has apparently no shortage of very nice Members.

Boj organized that we can pass Denison Channel giving us a shortcut of at least 40Nm. Though we advised Pinta-M of this possibility they decided to take the longer route outside Tasman Island.

We are now encountering 30 knots of wind but expect better weather tomorrow.

Our next destination is Beauty Point close to Georgetown on the North side of Tasmania. Here I hope to meet Hans Bosman, the only person I know living here who lefst Holland probably 25 yeas ago. From there will go straight to Melbourne.