We are in the final exciting days before Saturday’s start of the Fremantle to Exmouth Race and Rally 2023, with crews of the two participating HYC boats, Wayne Pitcher’s ‘Lithium’ and Tony Brooke’s ‘Mimosa’, busily getting ready, sorting sails, packing equipment, cleaning, repairing, and making everything ship shape. The two HYC registered yachts are amongst the 35+ fleet participating in next week’s event.

This will be the 3rd Fremantle to Exmouth Race, the first back in 1991. Slightly longer distance than Sydney to Hobart Race, this 700-nautical mile race will take competing sailors from the cooler climate of Freo moving into our winter to the warmth and beauty of the Western Australia’s Coral Coast.  The race is also the final race of the coveted “Siska Trophy” series for the most outstanding yacht in the Western Australian Offshore Yacht Racing Series.

As the reigning ORWA Corinthian Cup and Division 1 PHS champions, Wayne and crew of J122 Lithium look to build on their successful 2021 results of 2nd place in both Division 1 PHS and ORCI. Most of the 2021 crew remain onboard, joined by a couple of newcomers including a young 22 yo former HYC junior sailor, Eleanor. Lithium is currently sitting in 3rd position in the Siska Series and is looking for a strong finish in the Exmouth Race to hopefully move up a couple of places.

A regular HYC Keelboat racer, Tony and crew onboard the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 Mimosa are making the Rally the ideal first leg of what will be an extended 3 month cruise up the coast to the Montebello Islands and a leisurely return via Shark Bay and the Abrolhos. Although, having already completed several cruises to Geographe and the Abrolhos, this rally to Exmouth will be the longest continuous passage for most of the crew.

The event also includes an award to the boats who demonstrate the most sustainable boating practices with calculations based on boat preparation, provisioning practices, rubbish management and fuel consumption.

Upon arrival in Exmouth the organising committee has prepared a series of social gatherings, including a marina open day for town residents to visit the assembled fleet, and a formal presentation dinner on the lawn of the Exmouth Yacht Club.

A third HYC boat had previously registered for the event, but unfortunately Roric Smith’s Pogo 12.5 ‘Surfer Rosa’ was ultimately unable to participate in this year’s race.

We wish the Skipper and Crew of the two HYC boats all the best with the last lot of preparations taking place this week and for next week’s the race and rally.


Ray Murphy