You have to make judgement calls

Australian Justin ‘Juggy’ Clougher has a lot of offshore miles. He’s done all the classics, raced round the world, and set records doing it. Juggy, who has called Newport, Rhode Island home for some years, knows what he’s talking about when it comes to ocean racing.

Following the two deaths during the 2024 Sydney Hobart Race, and questions whether the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia should have cancelled the race, Juggy offers his view after finishing the race on David Griffiths’ Judel/Vrolijk 62 Whisper:

I can’t express words for the sadness of the loss of two lives in this race, but we all accept the risks in a race like this and the challenges that appear from time to time.

Like all others, we (on Whisper) were cognizant of the conditions before we left and racing became a fine line – a bit on the edge – you have to make judgement calls and sail safely.

While the forecast is one thing, Mother Nature throws in what she wants at times – so you’d better have an exit plan – and it needs to be a good one. That’s a must.

This race has the highest safety standards and we (sailors) appreciate that. We’ve been through the 1998 race (when six sailors died) and there is no blame to be held – in that race – or this one.

The Sydney Hobart is a Category 1 race and the CYCA (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia) has the highest safety standards in the world. And they work hard to maintain them and make the race as safe as is possible.

But things can happen and you can’t stop them: earthquakes, floods, fires, cyclones. You can plan and put things in place all you like, but you can’t stop some things, especially in extreme sports.

When you race, you have equipment – and you have to know what that equipment is – and know how to use it.

People can, and do, point fingers when you have bad situations

But when some things happen, the reality is people are not typically doing anything wrong. Boats are high tech. They are lighter and faster. They are lively and animated. So, things will go wrong. That’s a given in the sailing fraternity.

People, the public, should know that we are given a lot of information before the Sydney Hobart and that is a very powerful tool – and there to use.

I love this race and I love my job, part of which involves looking after the crew. I will continue to do this race and help to train up the younger people I encounter on the boats I sail on.”

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The 2024 Sydney Hobart Race extends 628-nautical miles from Sydney Harbour to Hobart, the state capital of Tasmania. The start on December 26 takes place in the heart of the Australian summer, with 105 yachts set to take on the 79th edition.