Robert Griffits, a 71-year-old part time ophthalmologist, has just finished his first Sydney to Hobart yacht race. He completed this remarkable feat on his own 1975-built yacht, fittingly named Millennium Falcon. His vessel, a NSW 39-footer measuring 11.9 metres, finished the race as the last boat to cross the line at 10:22 AM on Thursday. The milestone marks an impressive achievement for Griffits and his crew of five, who spent over 141 hours at sea.
The race is well known for the treacherous conditions. It was a true adventure, and Griffits and his research team deftly steered through a number of challenges, from equipment failures to extreme weather. Even when their on-board systems went down, they had to turn to their mobile phones for navigation. It was on Tuesday evening that a southerly change went through affecting the works crew that started the nasty weather and seas. This was complicating their journey even more treacherously.
A Journey of Tenacity
We first featured Griffits’ Millennium Falcon in 2020. Even with her advanced age, he has developed quite a connection with the old girl. He humorously noted its resemblance to the infamous Star Wars ship, stating, “It’s grown on me. The original Millennium Falcon was a bit of a rusted-out freighter that was held together by chewing gum.”
Over the course of the race, the crew experienced a number of trials that pushed their determination to the limits. Griffits described the experience, saying, “We were getting tossed around a lot. You get thrown from side to side.” The brutal environment exposed cracks in their ship’s armor. He remarked, “The boat had a few issues … you find the weak points on the interior with all the bashing around out there.” As the Millennium Falcon’s deck lay underwater for a long time, there were new findings to the Falcon’s watertight integrity.
Navigating Challenges
On top of these challenges, Griffits needed to make some last-minute motor repairs before the race. The yacht’s propulsion system mirrored that of its fictional namesake, as he quipped, “We’ve had a lot of trouble with our hyper drive, and we’re hoping a new one will work.” These concerns only highlighted the issues and dangers those competing in this brutal ocean race were facing.
While the challenges presented themselves, Griffits and his team were hell bent on making sure the event went ahead. They finished the trip in five days, 21 hours, 22 minutes, and 42 seconds. This golden moment cost them a wooden spoon by the time they reached Constitution Dock. This award is traditionally presented to the last place finisher in the race.
A Memorable Finish
Finishing the Sydney to Hobart is a treasured achievement for most sailors. For Robert Griffits, it’s the beginning of a new chapter in his sailing experience. Although his yacht finished last in the historic 80th edition of the race, it has undoubtedly etched itself into his memories and experiences.
Looking past the fire, the crew looks back on their difficult but immensely gratifying journey. Griffits relished the opportunity to have successfully driven one of sailing’s most lucrative events.
