In my last post, I promised to share some sailing pictures. Given that Sydney Harbor is all about sailing, and knowing that ‘Act 8’ of the Extreme Sailing Series would be held in Sydney from 10 – 13 December 2015, I had no doubt that I could deliver.
Other commitments kept me away from Day 1 of the races, but I headed over first thing on Day 2 to enjoy some time in the Race Village before the sailing got underway.
Unlike the wonderful, welcoming, ‘fun for the whole family’ Volvo Ocean Race Village that I enjoyed over many days in New Zealand earlier this year, the Extreme Sailing Race Village had a bit of an ‘Us and Them’ feel to it….
…and offered only minimal pre-race entertainment. A friend and fellow sailor of mine was so put off and bored by the whole thing that she left before the racing got underway.
But I am glad that I stayed. All was forgiven when I saw the beautiful Extreme 40 Catamarans, crewed by talented teams of ‘World Champions, Olympic heroes, America’s Cup winners, and Round the World sailing legends’, head off from the start line.
It was well worth standing outside in the beating sun to catch a glimpse of the action. The only disappointment I had once the race got underway was my decision to add a polarizing lens to my camera at the very moment Line Sonego Team Italia capsized in 30 knots of wind.
I heard that bodies were flying through the air (I was too busy futzing with my lens to witness this). Luckily no one got hurt, and after a time, the team was able to right their Extreme 40 Catamaran and participate in the next race.
Expect more fun to come as Sydney gets into the full swing of summer holidays.
For The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenges: Oops and Gathering
Excellent captured, so fascinating views… 🙂
Thank you Drake! Glad you think so ⛵️
These photos are wonderful – would love to have been on one of those boats. Great Oops and Gathering choices too.
?⛵️? As comfortable on the sea as I am, I don’t know if I have the courage to heel on one of those babies
Lisa as I was looking at the first photos of the boats I thought surely they must fall over. Sure enough! Too bad about missing the action but some amazing captures. I had no idea they came off the water so high!
So many ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs ‘ from the crowd every time one of the Extreme Cats came off the water. Never got tired of watching it. Thanks for sharing the experience with me virtually.
I know it is bad of me but it is really beautiful when they tip over. With know one getting hurt. Great pictures. Love the us and them dining experience pictures. The people at the food truck look happier. Great pics as always.
? I am just as bad as you are! After I missed the shot of the day I kept hoping another one would go over (without injury to crew or craft of course). But no luck. Delighted that you like the pics and that we again share a sense of humor (us and then dining experience).
I’m sure it’s on YouTube. The captures are amazing either way.
keep enjoying that beautiful ocean world and thank you for sharing!
Wow! I’ll have to check that out. Didn’t know I could watch it for free. Thank you
Ha – ignore that last comment. I was using the WordPress Reader to respond and thought I was commenting on your blog and that you were referring to full episodes of Dr Who being on YouTube. Now that would be cool. Good idea to look for the capsize on YouTube!
Usually someone will tape and put on YouTube. I’ll look and see if I find something.
Take care for now!
PS. Thank you for the lovely comment on the captures. You made my day!
Here is the video https://www.facebook.com/extremesailingseries/videos/1281510825208079/
Are you going in the Sydney to Hobart?
That would be awesome but The Captain prefers calm cruising to full on racing so we will be watching from the sidelines. Still, it is a bucket list item for me to watch the race start so I am psyched.
They are amazing craft, aren’t they! What a treat you had despite the ‘them and us’ environment.
A treat indeed Ann. And now Sydney is starting to heat up with Sydney To Hobart fever. Never a dull moment here in Sydney. Hope the weather improves. Tons of rain here. Speaking of weather, how’d you do in the recent South Island heat wave?
Amazing photos, Lisa. Thanks for sharing the experience with us.
Happy holiday seasons! And a great start of the new year!
?❤️??
You’ve made my holiday with that lovely compliment. Thank you for joining me for the race virtually Lucile. And a very happy holiday season to you as well ???
I feel like I am repeating what everyone else is saying, but those photos are indeed amazing and spectacular, Lisa. If it was so hot, those capsizers probably didn’t mind a bit of cooling off, I assume…
Ha! I never thought about it that way, but If a team is going to capsize, this was definitely the right day to do it. And thank you for your very generous compliments on the photos. I needed a little Liesbet love today. Hope you are loving life on your latest housesitting adventure in Florida.
I have never seen extreme catamarans such as these. What an interesting sight! It must be fun to watch, even from the “rest of us” side. Merry Christmas Lisa, and Happy Summer! I don’t think I have ever put those two phrases together before!
Thank you for sharing the race with me ‘virtually’ Michele and for your lovely holiday (and summertime 🙂 wishes. I have so benefited from your insights and inspiration in 2015 and very much enjoyed getting to know you this year. Happy Holidays to you and very healthy 2016.
I love that the action was so close to shore you could watch and take pictures from there! The “Us” and “Them” shots were fun too… I think I rather hang out with the food truck crowd.
With a natural outdoor setting for the races like (Mrs Macquarie’s Chair) every vantage point seemed to be ‘ring side’. And I would have very much enjoyed your company at the food truck 🙂
This is wonderful Lisa! The photographs told a wonderful story and it must have been exciting to see in person! Of course, now Hubble wants a boat of his own 😉 I look forward to more! From all of us- Merry Christmas to you Lisa and best wishes for exciting (and safe) journeys in 2016!
Hubble can’t get his own boat…..he promised to be Captain of mine (I am sure my current Captain would welcome him aboard our floating home). Thank you for your lovely compliments and for warming my heart throughout 2015 with entertaining and artistic images of your canine crew. Happy Holidays Meg!
All I can focus on is the “standing outside in the beating sun.” That sounds pretty awesome and all the better if one can be entertained by the extreme sailing! Enjoy the summer-themed holidays (I loved my one and only Christmas in Sydney with lobsters on the beach!) and good luck with your early-2016 plans!
I thought it would be hard to enjoy the holidays in the summer, but boy, was I wrong. Looking forward to my holiday beach bbq followed by my first Sydney To Hobart start (bucket list ✓). Enjoy your time in Columbia. CANNOT WAIT to see the street art you snap in Bogota Lexie! A happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year to you and yours …filled with adventure and fun!
So exciting! Great shots of the colorful sails and flying boats. Bust out the sunscreen and hats!
Totally busy out the sunscreen and hats. I’ve never been much for either until I arrived here in Australia. The sun really is stronger here…you can feel the difference. Thank you for saying the shots were great Mary! So excited to see all the photos from Baby Ava’s first Christmas! Mele Kalikimaka
Awww, your friend left. Sorry to hear that but glad you enjoyed yourself after that. Sometimes pre-entertainment really doesn’t float our boat…we’re always there for the main event 🙂 Those are some great shots. Looks like the waters were a bit rough? Hope the sun wasn’t too hot for you. It can get quite hot in the summer here 🙂
I really would have been fine with zero pre-race entertainment, but when the event advertised ‘Race Village Opens at 10:00 AM’ (four hours before the boats started their parade around the course) I expected more than a food truck and a brief (albeit fun) ride in a Land Rover. But the main event totally delivered. Thank you for your compliments on the shots that I did manage to take. And it was indeed a rough day on the water. Racing was eventually suspended on the day.
I wonder how Mr Wobbles would like to ride on one of those Extreme 40s??⛵️
Awesome! a regatta is a great take on a Gathering!
Thank you for your visit and lovely compliment Leanne! Greatly appreciated.
I am leaving Japan tonight and heading home via Sydney. I have some time to blow in Sydney so am looking forward to getting down harbour side. Sydney is such a beautiful city
Have a safe flight! Sydney is a tremendous place to stop over and an easy train ride from the airport. Tomorrow should be sunny so you might get a good picture of Sydney Harbor on your way in.
Gorgeous, gorgeous! The colors of the sails, the blues of the sky and water, and yes, the fun! All excellently captured and perfect for both photo themes. Have a Merry, warm, fun, blessed
Christmas, Lisa!
You always know how to make me feel good Terri! Thank you! Enjoy your fun in the sun in San Diego and Baja Sur. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ??
Hi Lisa…stunning event and excellent gallery of photographs…
Merry Christmas and all my best wishes to you. Aquileana ?
? Thank you so much for such a lovely compliment. Have a wonderful holiday ????
Woo-hoo! Excitement! 🙂 Hope this Christmas is going to be brilliant, Lisa. Happy sailing!
How can it be anything but brilliant Jo given we get to see our first Sydney To Hobart race start on Boxing Day⛵️‼️ So excited. Wishing you the Merriest Christmas ever and a bountiful 2016
Wow!
That perfectly sums up Extreme Sailing in Sydney. And now we are getting pumped for the Sydney To Hobart start on Boxing Day. Love this place ⛵️
I think it is very spectacular, and I would have stayed too 🙂
? Now if I just had the courage (and the offer) to sail on one ⛵️
My goodness, flying bodies! That must be extreme ones, the images are awesome, Lisa 🙂
Extreme indeed Indah! Thank you so much for your visit and lovely compliment. Always great to hang out with you in cyberspace ?⛵️⚓️
If it weren’t for your post I would not even know that these exist. Exciting sight, Lisa. I am very glad that you were not among these flying bodies 😉
Thank you Paula! I too am glad that I was not among the flying bodies. I love sailing but don’t think I have the courage to get on one of those Extreme racers.
Sailing is not in my blood, but the sight of yachts on the harbour is always enticing. I’m glad you’ve had your time on the harbour enjoying this.
⛵️ I never tire of seeing sailboats in the beautiful backdrop of Sydney Harbor. Magical every time