Turn left at Sydney Heads… It’s a lot easier!!!

Written by OG.

I often find myself surrounded by talent. I’m not talking about the “good looking” sort of talent, but rather that of the skills and dedication to the sport that I love. I am talking about talented sailors, and right now, I just happen to be in the presence of one of Brisbane’s, no, Queensland’s, hang on.. Australia’s most talented yachtsman. I am in the aura of none other than Peter “Sherwy” Sherwood.

Some might say that this young, middle aged, perhaps old in fact sailors is one of the worlds most arrogant and grumpy people to ever be around. And I know this fact is true. I would have to say that Sherwy is the biggest pain in the arse that I have ever met. However regardless of his mounting faults, I do believe him to be one of the most amazing characters that I have been associated with. (And before you ask, no… He is not paying me to say nice things about him!).

So despite my comments about this person, why do I feel the need to write about him? Well, Sherwy has just returned from the infamous Sydney to Hobart yacht race where he was the skippers right hand man, his companion, his bitch, and probably, depending on the situation, the brains and skill behind the whole operation.

Sherwy was aboard the Ted Kaufman designed 41 foot Honduras Mahogany masthead sloop, widely known in Sydney as the “floating grand piano”. This striking classic yacht is arguably the “prettiest” to ever sail the seas and oceans of this fine country, has represented Australia at the Admirals Cup, twice, and, won the Sydney to Hobart race in its maiden year being 1968.

To cut a long description short, Sherwy was aboard “Ray White Koomooloo”.

It all began when his best mate of 30 years (known around the traps as Mikey) said those magical words… “She goes well to windward mate, wanna give it a go?”. This was moments after the test sail and before the ink on the contract had dried, Koomooloo’s return to racing, after an absence of over 20 years, was inevitable.

After a frightening and tragic trip south in the 1998 Hobart race aboard the 68′ Steinman “Bobsled”, it became instantly apparent to both Sherwy and Mikey that it was not an ideal race for a downwind flyer. It was then that Sherwy made a solemn promise to himself “from this day forth, I hereby pledge, the first time I touch Tasmanian soil will be from decks a salt encrusted racing yacht, and not that of some sissy tourist airplane!!”

It would be some years before these two would again turn right at Sydney heads and take that plunge to the offshore island of Tasmania.

After a millenium and a few ill passed dinghy regattas, Sherwy began to feel the itch of Hobart once more, and like music to his ears, it was then that Mikey said those famous words “she goes well to windward, wanna give it a go”. Sherwy’s eyes glazed over and the mission was on to get the old girl back to Hobart after and absence of 30 years.

The manual labour began. The scrubbing and sanding are still embedded as scars on this yachtsman’s aching hands, while the skipper (mentioning no names) was busy building his newly established business to assist with the funding of the voyage. (ok, ok, a little overboard there… everyone did more than their fair share and then some.)

After litres of medal winning gold paint and ounces of perspiring sweat Koomooloo and her crew were ready to travel south to Sydney then truck on through to Hobart.

It was on the start line when the flashbacks began. Sherwy had planted in the back of his mind the memories of the 98 race and was determined to ensure his safety and that of his fellow yachtsman. Regardless of what happened, everyone was to come home with all fingers and toes intact. (But no guarentee of mental stability could be insured.)

Unfortunately Koomooloo never made it to Hobart that year, however did have a fantastic time completing the Sydney to Eden yacht race with more than half the fleet and enjoyed a well deserved rum on the deck whilst watching the numerous storms float by.

2005 was a new year and brought with it hopes and dreams of finally getting the grand piano all the way up the Derwent River and into Constitution Dock to be moored along side the likes of Wild Oats XI and Alfa Romeo.

Koomooloo was bound for Hobart and this year nothing was going to interrupt their way, for this was their year, the year when Sherwy would finally place his virgin souls on Tasmanian ground and bask in the joys of glory whilst guzzling rum and other alcoholic concoctions.

Sherwy was excited, Sherwy was inspired, and even a brief stint (he says “cushy” job) on a Super Yacht in Central America would no stop this enthusiastic yachtsman from sailing Koomooloo with his best mate to Hobart.

This was their year, and as they made their way out of Sydney heads, Channel 10 cut their program to feature this beautiful yacht in their “Boat Profile”. The locals watching at their home club of Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron hooted and cheered as the yacht they call their own was broadcast to the world as “one of the best, and one to watch.”

“Last year we were prepared for 30 knots and got 60. This year we were prepared for 60 and got 25. If you hadn’t experienced the disappointment of previous years one would almost feel cheated at such a light and easy yacht race.” The winds were light and the sail changes few and far between, and as Sherwy cracked the next “orange juice” he realised this race was not as potent as reporters, journalists and critics made out.

Needless to say, Sherwy, Mikey and the rest of the crew caught up on some much needed sleep to prepare them for the discos and parties that would welcome them to Hobart.

Eventually Koomooloo and crew crawled into Constitution Dock on a dying breeze and as the race slowing came to a close, they realised they had achieved much more than they anticipated. Koomooloo had taken the crown as champions of the IRC E Division and permanently etched in history that this magnificent vessel is indeed a true thoroughbred designed and built for ocean racing.

“After finally finishing my first Hobart race I’m beginning to understand why so many return year after year. I never understood it, it always seemed crazy to me to want to do this race more than once. But it’s an amazing feeling as you motor into the dock to one of the warmest welcomes you will ever experience. So much so, that we’ve pretty much decided to do it all again next year. I must be out of my mind!”

Yes, Sherwy is out of his mind, but that is what we admire about him. Regardless of how much he kicks and screams about always being right, we never let him believe that he might acutally be onto something. He has the will power and belief in his ability that most struggle to ever achieve, however year after year, Sherwy is back out racing and aiming towards his goals and ambitions.

But he is still a pain in the arse…….