A FORMER Wellington couple who emigrated to Australia in 2006 have completed the world-famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race - and in good time.

Alison Hobbs, who went to Court Fields School, Wellington, and husband Dave bought their yacht four years ago and named it Quantock - the 'Quantock Hills are so special to us - it was the perfect name.'

And just after Christmas they took part in the race which is notorious for treacherous sailing conditions.

Alison recalls her experience of the race: "Boxing Day morning started with the skippers' and navigator’s weather briefing from the ‘Australian Bureau of Meteorology’ which informed us to expect a fast run down the Eastern Australian coast, across the infamous ‘Bass Strait’ then down the East coast of Tasmania to the finish in Hobart.

"The start of the race didn’t disappoint with hundreds of thousands of Sydney siders cramming every spare vantage point on the foreshore and thousands of spectator boats lining the sides of Sydney harbour.

"The drone of media helicopters is almost deafening and for skippers and tacticians, sore throats from trying to communicate instructions to their crews was inevitable. ‘Quantock’ had a clean start and choosing to stay to the north of the harbour worked in our favour against the competition in our upwind work to Sydney heads.

"Once at the offshore mark our spinnaker was hoisted and we started the 635 nautical mile race south to Hobart. Forty-eight hours in the breeze freshened to a 30-35 knot northerly as we made fast progress across the Bass Strait reaching speeds of 22knots (25mph).

"By sunset the wind changed direction to a strong Southerly, bringing a cold front and upwind conditions. We spent a very cold uncomfortable night bashing through a very disorganised sea state, but managed to pick the changes in wind direction and used them to our advantage.

"At day break of the third day we rounded Tasman light and the incredible ‘organ pipes’ the highest sea cliffs in Australia, the finish was now just 50NM away but we still had to cross ‘Storm Bay’ which luckily didn’t live up to its name on this occasion. After entering the Derwent River we were becalmed in a classic ‘Derwent’ shut down.

"Frustrated it took four hours for any breeze to arrive which we were then able to hoist our largest spinnaker and head to the finish line. The reception from the spectators on Kings Pier Wharf was simply incredible and suddenly the last three days, two hours and 31 minutes felt very worthwhile!"

Quantock results - line honours 33/108 - ORCi 28/60 and 5th in Division 2 - IRC 46/83