Tribal Warrior aims high at blue water classic

In its 69 year history, the number of Indigenous men and women who have sailed in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been few.

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At least one Indigenous sailor, Matt Murphy, is taking part in this year's Blue Water classic on board the PSP Logistics.

But while Matt Murphy is battling the waves, today former sailor David Bird reflected on his time on the high seas nearly 20 years ago.

"Four of us went on to go and do the Sydney to Hobart," he said.

"[It] took us four days, 15 minutes and 19 seconds as I recall, so it's very strenuous.

Today David Bird encouraged others on the Trival Warrior to gain a passion for sailing.

He didn't have to look far as the Sailor family from Townsville joined the Tribal Warrior to watch the maxis as they sailed out of Sydney Harbour - a moment they won't forget.

Stedman Sailor said it was an exciting day for the family.

"It’s the first time I’ve been out here - me and my little family - so we just come out here to enjoy the day, a great day for it," he said.

Organiser Shane Phillips said the Sydney to Hobart was just one example of what's possible for those interested in working on the waterways across Australia.

He hopes to see a Tribal Warrior maxi with an all-Indigenous crew sailing to Hobart next year.

"We’ve been talking about putting in a vessel in the Sydney to Hobart for around 10 so far.

"We are going to do it, but you know, we’re not government funded, we have to try and make it all ourselves so we struggle all the time but we always get there.

"We don’t care if we win or anything but we want, as testimony, to show our mob, that anything is possible, that all it’s really about."

 

 


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2 min read

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Source: NITV News


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