Holley Full Of Cheer Ahead Of Ocean Classic

Newcastle Herald

Monday December 22, 2008

By JOSH LEESON

NEWCASTLE sailor Jim Holley gets excited every December and it is not because Santa Claus comes to town.

The Sydney to Hobart veteran will take part in the iconic race for the 21st time this Boxing Day.

For the past 10 years he has raced his Farr 40 yacht, Aurora, which is the only yacht to finish the race every year in the past decade.

Regardless of his vast experience Holley still gets the same buzz every Boxing Day.

"Yeah I've been getting it [the buzz] for a month," Holley said.

"We've got young Pru Harper, who comes from Noakes Boatyard and she's just finished her shipwright apprenticeship. She's doing her first Hobart [race] with me and I told her I'm as excited as she is."

Holley's wife Mary will also join him for her 12th Sydney to Hobart.

His first Sydney to Hobart was in 1986 aboard Newcastle Flyer, which was skippered by Peter Rundle, and he has also been a part of the crew on Sydney boat Drake's Prayer.

Holley's best performance aboard Aurora was in 1998 and 1999 when the boat finished second and third in its division.

Holley will be looking to improve on last year's disappointment after Aurora finished last after receiving a hefty time penalty for breaking the start line.

Over the years the retired surgeon said sailing down the Australian south-east coast has not changed much.

He said no matter how much experience you had it was still challenging.

"Going to Hobart is a fairly tough thing," he said.

"Our boat is 25 years old so it hasn't changed much.

"For me this is the highlight of the sailing calendar and I want to do it properly."

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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