Mullum pharmacist and publican, Craig Watson, is captaining his first Sydney to Hobart boat race, which kicked off on December 26.
Watson is an experienced skipper, with 23 Hamilton Island Race weeks; 12 Airlie Beach Race weeks; and three Brisbane to Gladstone races under his belt. For that race, he won in 2018, and 2021, and came third in 2022.
Watson told The Echo Coopers is still his main sponsor, however Diageo also sponsor the yacht with three Genoa sails: Johnny Walker; Captain Morgan and Bundaberg Rum.
He said, ‘Half our crew of ten have competed before’.
628 nautical miles
‘The 628 nautical miles will be challenging, especially if we get hit by the forecasted 50knot winds while crossing Bass Strait.
‘Coopers is a Jeanneau 53, and should handle all conditions and be competitive’.
Crew members are Lindsay Atherton, Simon Griffiths, Brian Jackson, Jason Muir, Christopher O’Shannessy, Andrew Wells, and Casper White.
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