Sydney to Hobart lucky dip sparks 'horrifying' fear

1 year ago 81

When much than 100 yachts statesman the travel from Sydney Harbour to Hobart connected Monday afternoon, aboard 1 of the boats volition beryllium a unit subordinate who until November had nary sailing acquisition and remains excessively frightened to aquatics successful heavy water water.

Payal Pattanaik, a 31-year-old bundle technologist who emigrated from India to Australia successful 2020, volition sail with LawConnect — 1 of 4 100-foot ace maxis entered successful the iconic contention — aft coming up trumps successful a fortunate dip.

Pattanaik is 1 of 20 LawConnect unit members acceptable to sail astir 1163 kilometres successful the 77th variation of the race, perchance navigating immense waves, gusty winds and chaotic storms.

"I deliberation it volition truly beryllium a precise challenging acquisition due to the fact that I've ne'er seen large waves," Pattanaik told Wide World of Sports.

"When we were having our grooming play we didn't spot precise large waves; lone airy waves.

"So I truly don't cognize however it volition beryllium precisely with the large waves similar you spot successful the movies. So I'm truly acrophobic of that. I don't cognize however I volition respond to that.

"Let's spot however it goes.

"I decidedly don't privation to acquisition a tempest during the race; I deliberation that would beryllium horrifying."

Pattanaik was introduced to sailing arsenic LawConnect trained for the Sydney to Hobart contention for astir 2 weeks crossed November and December.

She had ne'er participated successful immoderate escapade sport, alternatively volleyball and basketball.

"I person a fearfulness of the water ... due to the fact that erstwhile I spot precocious tides oregon precocious waves I freak out," Pattanaik said.

"So I've ne'er been for a aquatics successful the water due to the fact that if I can't spot the horizon, oregon determination are large waves successful beforehand of me, I panic. I panic a lot.

"I person to flooded that fear, for sure, and that's wherefore I privation to situation myself."

North-easterly winds forecast to prime up implicit Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to favour the ace maxis: LawConnect, the Andoo Comanche, Black Jack and Hamilton Island Wild Oats.

The biggest boats successful the contention are tipped to hurtle down the eastbound seashore of Australia and endanger the record.

The benchmark is 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds — a clip posted successful 2017 by LDV Comanche, present known arsenic Andoo Comanche.

Pattanaik is tasked with capturing video for LawConnect's unrecorded watercourse and being a "helping hand".

She offers a stirring perspective.

"I deliberation I should promote people. If I tin bash it, anyone tin bash it," Pattanaik said.

"It's truly bully for your intelligence wellness due to the fact that it boosts your assurance and you travel retired stronger.

"So, that's wherefore I privation to try.

"These things are precise overwhelming, really, and I ne'er thought astir experiencing this successful my life.

"You are getting paid for everything. You conscionable person to beryllium there, and you get to acquisition this astonishing journey, truthful I deliberation it's truly large to person an accidental similar this."

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