Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2024

News
2023
Celestial Boat Tour 2023

Celestial Boat Tour 2023

NEWS
20 Aug, 2023 11:37:00 AM

A1, CELESTIAL, Sail No: 9535, Owner: Sam Haynes, Skipper: Sam Haynes, State: NSW, Design: TP52, LOA: 15,9 Protected by copyright

Celestial Boat Tour 2023

In this video Dr Sam Haynes, CYCA Vice Commodore and Tattersall Cup winner of the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart, takes us inside his TP52 Celestial. This is a rare opportunity to get up close to one of these beautiful, performance boats. Sam won the Hobart race in this boat last year and is always a great competitor to watch on the water.

Not only is Sam a champion sailor and all-round terrific guy, he possesses an intimate knowledge of his trusty ocean racing steed, the Judel/Vrolijk designed TP52 Celestial.

He is the perfect person to lead a tour. He is always happy to share his knowledge and experiences with others.

In this video he discusses his sail inventory, as he prepares for the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. Up on deck, we review some of the modifications to his JV designed 2011 TP52 and below, he provides insights into what it is like to be inside a carbon boat, racing at full speed.

This year Celestial won Line Honours in the 2023 Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane Gladstone Yacht Race. The 75th edition of the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club’s race was “brutal”, with a storm on the first night leading to the retirement of nine boats.

In 2021 Haynes sailed his former Celestial, to 17th overall in the Hobart (second best placed TP52 to Ichi Ban), to finish the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore (BWPS) second to Ichi Ban.

In 2017, he placed ninth overall in the Hobart to be runner-up in the BWPS. In 2016, he was 16th for a divisional third, and in 2015 placed 29th overall with a divisional third (Celestial's first Hobart with Haynes).

Back in racing mode to contest the rest of the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore, Celestial is in great shape according to Haynes.

“On board this year will be most of the crew for the next Hobart, including Jack McCartney who runs the boat and is the sailing master for the race. He will be leading the team with me,” Sam Haynes says.