HOBART, AUSTRALIA
Restoring a family tradition
uspended in a cradle at the former Creese’s yard at Battery Point, the 40-year-old, 40ft (12.2m) wooden yacht is being brought back to life to compete in the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart next year. Owner Rob Gough, with John Saul aboard , earned his place in race history by winning the first two-handed line honours in the 2021 edition. “ was our family boat,” explains Rob. “It was the last boat to leave Creese’s in 1984. We sailed down the channel every weekend, around Bruny, swimming and setting off in little dinghies. Then my dad traded it and bought a new Buizen yacht. The Gourlay back from them. “I was very fond of it – it’s a beautiful boat. Huon Pine such a special timber,” he said.
