A battle with light winds
The journey to the finish line was far from smooth sailing, as Caro, along with competitors Whisper and No Limit, faced a battle with fickle breezes in the final 36 to 40 nautical miles. Earlier in the day, these yachts crawled along at speeds of just 0.5–3 knots after rounding Tasman Island, painstakingly searching for wind to carry them home. Caro ventured further south in a tactical move that ultimately paid off, allowing her to regain speed and reach up to 13 knots as the conditions improved.
While Caro finished sixth in the Line Honours standings, she currently sits fifth in the IRC Overall Line Honours category. However, with many boats still on the course, these standings could change as the race progresses.
The fleet leaders
Caro was preceded across the line by an illustrious group of yachts, including the Line Honours winner, LawConnect, a Juan K 100 Custom yacht measuring 30.5 metres in length. Behind LawConnect came Celestial V70, a Juan Kouyoumdjian-designed yacht with a 21.5-metre LOA, and Wild Thing 100, a 30.5-metre Maxi. Whisper and No Limit claimed fourth and fifth respectively, both demonstrating tactical brilliance and resilience in the final stretch.
Despite finishing behind these giants, Caro’s position as the first international finisher underscores her formidable performance and consistency in high-pressure races.
Caro: A rising star in offshore racing
Built in 2021, Caro is a Botin 52, boasting an LOA of 15.9 metres, a beam of 4.4 metres, and a draft of 3.6 metres. Her sleek lines and advanced design have made her one of the most impressive offshore racers in recent years. Skippered by Max Klink, Caro’s crew includes an elite team of sailors, including Scott Beavis, Justin Ferris, Ryan Godfrey, and Jules Salter, among others, who brought their skill and determination to this year’s Sydney to Hobart challenge.
A stellar track record
Caro’s finish this year builds on an already remarkable resume. In 2022, she placed third overall in the RORC Transatlantic Race and claimed overall honours in CS1 at the Les Voiles de St. Barth Regatta. At the 2022 Australian Yachting Championship hosted by Hamilton Island Race Week, she clinched overall IRC 1 honours.
This year, Caro returned to the Rolex Sydney to Hobart as a race favourite, thanks to a string of impressive results. These included an overall victory in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race and topping her division in the 2023 Rolex Middle Sea Race. In November, Caro showcased her form at the CYCA’s Bird Island Race, securing a win by seven minutes over URM Group.
Caro’s consistent performances have made her a standout competitor, and her return for the third consecutive Sydney Hobart Race was eagerly anticipated.
A legacy for New Zealand sailing
While Caro’s campaign is helmed by Max Klink, her connection to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and her continued success are a source of immense pride for Kiwi sailing enthusiasts. This sixth-place finish in Line Honours reaffirms her status as a world-class yacht and a symbol of New Zealand’s enduring presence in the global sailing community.
As Caro continues to compete in prestigious events, she carries the hopes of New Zealand fans and serves as a shining example of excellence in offshore racing. With her incredible track record and dedicated crew, the future looks bright for this exceptional yacht.
Congratulations Caro and crew with tremendous support from the RNZYS. Sailing fans from all around the world will recognise your achievement here, as another NZ yachting standout finish!