Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race 2015
Making Waves Foundation embarked on its 22nd Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 2015. The crew of 16 raced on Kayle, a Lyons 54. Skippered by John Whitfeld, the crew trained throughout 2015 under John's skilful and encouraging guidance. According to the official race site, "the 628 nautical mile course is often described as the most gruelling long ocean race in the world, a challenge to everyone who takes part."
For the first time in 21 years, David Pescud did not sail in the race. Instead, he saw the crew off on Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day. Of John Whitfeld's capabilities, David said:
"John is a capable and successful Skipper with 21 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races under his belt. I have full confidence in his abilities with our crew, a mix of disabled and able-bodied sailors, some experienced and some sailing the race for the first time."
All but two of the crew sailed in the Landrover Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race in July 2015, and two of the crew, Mark Thomson and Kristi Foster, also sailed in MWF's world record breaking event, Sydney to Sydney via Lord Howe Island in October 2015.
Of his role as Skipper, John Whitfeld, said:
"This is a greater level of responsibility because of what we’re trying to achieve, it’s a bigger responsibility and a bigger goal. If I was on a boat full of 'heavies', as we call a professional crew, and we get there, that’s standard, but if we get there it’s a goal we wouldn‘t achieve outside the MWF program and it’s a privilege to help our crew tick the box of finishing one of the toughest ocean races in the world.
As the first new Skipper in 21 years there’s a bit more pressure but I knew that when I signed up. Our goal is to get there—and the weather is going to make it a challenge—but I’m very determined to get there in a safe manner for the crew. If we get into the Derwent I’ll have a smile on my face you won’t be able to get rid of."
MWF's crew were a mix of people with disability and able-bodied crew members. Disabilities included MS, Friedreich's Ataxia, Arachnoiditis which is similar to MS but, instead of in the brain, it affects the spine, deafness, blindness, and an amputee.
You could track our Yacht's progress--Kayle, Making Waves Foundation--throughout the race, from start to finish.
Read about Kayle and our crew on the official Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race page.
Follow our updates by the hour and day on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Follow the official Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race twitter account.
Meet the crew in the profiles below. Click the link beneath to watch their short videos.
Meet our crew
John Whitfeld
Nickname: Johnno
Lives: Sydney
Likes: Sailing
Joined MWF: 2011
Position on Yacht: Skipper
Age: 50
Anne Lawrence
Nickname: Annie
Lives: North Ryde
Likes: gardening, looking after injured native birds
Joined MWF: 2005
Position on Yacht: navigator
Age: 51
Meet Anne on video
Paul Palmer
Nickname: Paulie (or teabag)
Lives: Hawkesbury
Likes: Watching live sport/concerts and now sailing
Joined MWF: April 2015
Position on Yacht: Traveler
Age: 51
Meet Paul on video
Ryan Honschooten
Nickname: Henshooter
Lives: Gosnells, Western Australia
Likes: Good food and wine, sailing, live music, inspiring other people
Joined MWF: 2015
Position on Yacht: To be confirmed
Age: 41
Ron Montague
Nickname: Ronnieboy
Lives: Enfield
Likes: sailing, community radio presenting and country music
Joined MWF: 2001
Position on Yacht: Mainsail trimmer
Age: 61
Kristi Foster
Nickname: Krissie
Lives: Coffs Harbour
Likes: Reading, painting and craft
Joined MWF: 2014
Position on Yacht: Strings/Media
Age: 41
Greg Pugh
Nickname: Pughy
Lives: Stockton
Likes: beer and oysters
Joined MWF: 2014
Position on Yacht: Main trimmer
Age: 50
Mark Thomson
Nickname: Marky Mark
Lives: Central Coast
Likes: Staying fit
Joined MWF: 2001
Position on Yacht: Watch captain (bear is bosun)
Age: 47
Mark Ralph
Nickname: Ralphie
Lives: Berala
Likes: woodwork & computer building
Joined MWF: 2004
Position on Yacht: Mast
Age: 60
Paul Bulley
Nickname: Bulley
Lives: remote Australia
Likes: Teaching and looking for the strengths in all kids & being in the outdoors.
Joined MWF: 2015
Position on Yacht: Foredeck
Age: 33
Keven Rainbow
Nickname: Keven
Lives: Hills District, Sydney
Likes: The native birds that visit our home
Joined MWF: 2013
Position on Yacht: Trimmer
Age: 64
Julia Harrison
Nickname: Julia or Jules
Lives: Nowra, South Coast
Likes: Sailing, health and fitness, my 3 kids, and my chickens.
Joined MWF: March 2015
Position on Yacht: Strings
Age: 48
Meet Julia on video
Phil Walker
Nickname: Phil
Lives: Sydney
Likes: surf skip paddling, diving, fishing
Joined MWF: 2015
Position on Yacht: Bowman
Age: 45
Meet Phil on video
Jim Igoe
Nickname: Jim
Lives: Sydney
Likes: Pizza
Joined MWF: 2009
Position on Yacht: Mainsheet
Age: 65
Meet Jim on video
Jac Wilson
Nickname: Jac
Lives: Huskisson, Jervis Bay
Likes: sailing, dancing, reading and seeing people smile
Joined MWF: 2014
Position on yacht: Jac of all trades
Age: 58
Peter Hopkins
Nickname: Hoppy
Lives: Hobart
Likes: Family and East Coast of Tassie
Joined MWF: 2015
Position on Yacht: Cockpit
Age: 60
Meet Peter on video
