Michael Blackburn Crosses 117 mile Bass Strait in Laser



3-10-05
Australian Olympic sailor Michael Blackburn has crossed the 117 nautical mile Bass Strait in a Laser. He sailed from Stanley on Tasmania's north-west coast, to Wilsons Promontory in Victoria in 13 hours, that is an average of over 8 mph! Max speed recorded on the trip was 19.7 knots down the face of a huge roller. The previous small boat record for the crossing was more than 21 hours, set by a windsurfer in 1998.



Photos by West Ashton
map     Pic1     Pic2     Pic3     Pic4     Pic5     Pic6     Pic7     Pic8     Pic9     Pic10     Pic11     Pic12     Pic13     Pic14     Pic15     Pic16     Pic17     Pic18     Pic19    

story at Sailfitter.com   video   audio interview 1   audio interview 2  
story at Sail-World.com
story at Yachting.org.au

Australian Olympian sets new Bass Strait record
By Lulu Roseman

Olympic Bronze medallist Michael Blackburn, 34, admits that the idea of crossing Bass Strait in a 4.2 fibreglass Laser was a crazy idea at the time, but he silenced his critics when he made the 115 nautical (207km) mile journey in 13 hours and one minute on March 10, 2005.

"It was a magical day in the end and after waiting around in Stanley in north-western Tasmania for six days for the right sort of weather to come through, it eventually did," Blackburn says.

Many within the sailing community asked why and Blackburn's response is why not?

"It was a blast. I reckon I caught a wave just about every 10 seconds for 13.5 hours (4000+ waves)."

The idea came about while he was sitting around with a group of Laser sailors having a chat during a regatta.

"We wondered what else we could do other than sailing around the cans. I've been sailing a Laser for 14 years so was keen on doing something a little different.

"We came up with the idea of sailing a Laser in surf on big waves and capturing it all on film. For the grand finale, we felt we needed a big stunt so crossing Bass Strait fit the bill. I thought I'd go straight to the end and do the big one first.

"A Laser is basically a big fibreglass surfboard and that makes it fun sailing on swells across Bass Strait."

With Roger "Clouds" Badham forecasting the weather patterns, Blackburn's patience was rewarded and a suitable weather window saw him finally getting away early on Wednesday (09/03/05) morning, pushing the boat in the water at 3:00am and leaving the confines of the harbour at 3:30am.

"It was very black, the blackest conditions I've ever sailed in. No moon, no stars and it was like sailing across black velvet. I couldn't see any texture on the water at all. I had 15 knots of breeze on a reaching angle doing 8.5-9 knots sailing into the darkness," he says.

Though he knew the wind was blowing offshore, he had no idea of the size of the waves.

"I knew it was going to be pretty flat for the first few hours so that was a bonus. I buried the nose and filled the cockpit with water across the whole deck in the darkness so the waves were sizeable.

"Eventually the sun came up and revealed the waves weren't as big as I thought they were.

"We weren't looking to take off if the wind was going to be of a crazy strength. That's why we had to wait six days for that lingering low-pressure system that hung around Tassie to pass. The sweeping fronts passed us with winds in the region of 35-40 knots. We had to sit that out and wait for wind strength of 10-20 knots. We ended up having winds of 15-18 knots for most of the trip."

He averaged 8.6 knots and the top speed recorded on the GPS indicated 19.7 knots,

"It's a cheap way to go fast, 20 knots in a Laser.

"I had never seen 20 knots before sailing a Laser. I've seen 16 knots before is some nice conditions off Sydney Heads."

One of the more surreal moments during the crossing was approximately halfway across, when he spied a big oilrig in the distance that he didn't know was there. He surfed past the Yolla A oilrig, 70 nautical miles south of Kilcunda in the middle of Bass Strait.

"I got right next to it. I waved to the guys 100 metres above me and they just stood there and didn't respond at all, which is a bit odd. Then they got on the radio and said, "Do you know you've just sailed through our 500 metre exclusion zone?" My support boat had to apologise profusely but they said 'no worries, mate" have a good sail when we explained what we were doing."

A Cheviot 32 motor cruiser was used as rhe support boat, with Tim Phillips helming with camera operator, West Ashton, capturing all the action.

Blackburn's Olympic coach, Arthur Brett, was on the isolated Victorian beach at Tidal Beach in Norman Bay, near Wilson's Promontory to meet him just after 16:31pm when the crossing was completed.

Powered by sports drinks, chocolate bars, bananas and a good old-fashioned cheese sandwich Blackburn says the view was wet.

"There was a lot of water everywhere."

He kept the blood circulation by changing positions and steering while laying on his back, prone down and standing up. He was surprised at how little physical trouble he experienced.

"Apart from a stiff back, neck and tired arms it wasn't too painful."

Meanwhile he is leaving his options open for the Beijing Olympics and would love to participate in a Volvo Ocean Race or an America's Cup. For now, he is will resume his tacticians' duties aboard Martin and Lisa Hill's Sydney 38, Estate Master.

"I am currently enjoying the chance to concentrate exclusively on tactics on Estate Master. The crew is great and can handle almost anything Martin Hill and I need to throw at them at the starts and mark roundings," he says.


Previous Press Releases


Media Release - Saturday 5th March 2005
Olympian Michael Blackburn to cross Bass Strait
Since early this week, Olympic Medallist Michael Blackburn has been on stand-by for his attempt to sail a Laser dinghy across Australia's Bass Strait. He is set to depart Sunday morning March 6th 2005. The Laser is the world's most popular adult sailboat. However, Lasers are only 4.2m long with a single sail and no substantial cockpit, no lifelines, no engine, sailed with one crew and, of course, not designed for such a feat. The audacity to challenge a dangerous stretch of open water, in such a tiny and seemingly insufficient vessel, must seem insane to an outsider. Michael and his support team have travelled to Stanley in North West Tasmania to wait for a suitable southerly wind in order to surf on thousands of Bass Strait swells to Victoria. Located at roughly 40 degrees south latitude, the strait leaves sailors unprotected against the howling winds of the Roaring 40s. Bass Strait is the 140 nautical miles (252km) of waterway between Tasmania and Australia and is normally only attempted by substantial craft. The Strait is relatively shallow and captures the weather patterns of higher latitudes. It is 115 nautical miles (nm) (207km) from Stanley in Tasmania to Tidal River in Victoria. In between is a waterway with one of the fiercest reputations on the planet. A mother ship will follow Michael all the way. Renowned Australian meteorologist Roger 'Clouds' Badham, has been engaged to give the green light. The plan is to wait for a SW-S front to pass through then take off once the breeze is settled. "I need the wind to blow from the SW to SSE at 14-25 knots to make for a fast crossing. The aim is to sail downwind only. Even with the most favourable conditions, the crossing will take 14 hours. So, depending on the conditions, I expect to depart Stanley in the middle of the night," Blackburn says. Latest weather reports indicate south westerly winds with a 2 to 3 metre swell blowing up to 20 knots. GPS data from sailing a Laser downwind in strong winds suggests that Michael will be able to maintain speeds of 8-12 knots over a long period. Therefore, the trip will take approximately 14-18 hours non-stop. "The first few hours before dawn will be quite hazardous - cold and windy. I won't be able to see the waves and will have to sail very conservatively to keep upright and dry. I will be using a hand-held GPS and analogue compass to navigate. Other equipment I'll carry include an inflatable PFD (life jacket), strobe light, flares, satellite phone, EPIRBs, food and drink, VHF radio and light sticks. The latter two items will help me keep in touch with the support boat." Sponsors include Estate Master - Hill PDA, The Sailing Scene (supplying the Laser), Ronstan, Queensport Wetsuits, The Wooden Boat Shop and Arthur Brett Sails. Michael will be available for satellite phone interviews along the way providing an insight into the focus and endurance required to reach the mainland. Photo images and footage will be available to media.

Update - Media Release - Sunday 6th March 2005
Blackburn's Bass Strait crossing delayed 24 hours
Australian Olympian Michael Blackburn's Laser crossing of Bass Strait has been delayed by at least 24 hours. Closely monitoring the weather condition a decision was made last night to hold off until the weather conditions improve. With seas rising to five metres and south -south-westerly winds blowing 25-35 knots, Blackburn and his team have decided to put safety first. Blackburn and his support crew are keen to depart Stanley, in North Western Tasmania in the early hours of Monday morning, weather permitting. The early start is to minimise night sailing. The waiting game begins. The destination of Tidal River at Wilson's Promontory, Victoria as approximately 117 nautical miles (211 km) across Bass Strait. In preparation for the crossing, Michael has spent many hours sailing a Laser in the large ocean swells outside Sydney Heads. Spectators and competitors of the Farr 40 World Championships fleet spied him over the last couple of weeks. He completed a number of fresh-wind training runs sailing downwind along the coast, for example, Botany Bay to Sydney Harbour (15nm) to test equipment, navigation and the speed he can maintain over many hours of downwind sailing. He has also been working out hard in the gym doing aerobic training and has added two kilograms to his frame. Michael has been sailing Lasers for 14 years and participated in three Olympics in winds up to 50 knots. The boat used is identical to those used in World and Olympic competitions. Sponsors include Estate Master - Hill PDA, The Sailing Scene (supplying the Laser), Ronstan, Queensport Wetsuits, The Wooden Boat Shop and Arthur Brett Sails. Michael will be available for satellite phone interviews along the way providing an insight into the focus and endurance required to reach the mainland. Photo images and footage will be available to media.

Media Release - Monday 7th March 2005
Australian Olympian Michael Blackburn to cross Bass Strait
Since early last week, Olympic Medallist Michael Blackburn has been on stand-by for his attempt to sail a Laser dinghy across Australia's Bass Strait. He is set to depart Tuesday morning March 8th 2005. The Laser is the world's most popular adult sailboat. However, Lasers are only 4.2m long with a single sail and no substantial cockpit, no lifelines, no engine, sailed with one crew and, of course, not designed for such a feat. The audacity to challenge a dangerous stretch of open water, in such a tiny and seemingly insufficient vessel, must seem insane to an outsider. Michael and his support team have travelled to Stanley in North West Tasmania to wait for a suitable southerly wind in order to surf on thousands of Bass Strait swells to Victoria. Located at roughly 40 degrees south latitude, the strait leaves sailors unprotected against the howling winds of the Roaring 40s. Bass Strait is the 140 nautical miles (252km) of waterway between Tasmania and Australia and is normally only attempted by substantial craft. The Strait is relatively shallow and captures the weather patterns of higher latitudes. It is 115 nautical miles (nm) (207km) from Stanley in Tasmania to Tidal River in Victoria. In between is a waterway with one of the fiercest reputations on the planet. A mother ship will follow Michael all the way. Renowned Australian meteorologist Roger 'Clouds' Badham, has been engaged to give the green light. The plan is to wait for a SW-S front to pass through then take off once the breeze is settled. "I need the wind to blow from the SW to SSE at 14-25 knots to make for a fast crossing. The aim is to sail downwind only. Even with the most favourable conditions, the crossing will take 14 hours. So, depending on the conditions, I expect to depart Stanley in the middle of the night," Blackburn says. Latest weather reports indicate south westerly winds with a five metre swell blowing up to 25-35 knots. GPS data from sailing a Laser downwind in strong winds suggests that Michael will be able to maintain speeds of 8-12 knots over a long period. Therefore, the trip will take approximately 14-18 hours non-stop. "The first few hours before dawn will be quite hazardous - cold and windy. I won't be able to see the waves and will have to sail very conservatively to keep upright and dry. I will be using a hand-held GPS and analogue compass to navigate. Other equipment I'll carry include an inflatable PFD (life jacket), strobe light, flares, satellite phone, EPIRBs, food and drink, VHF radio and light sticks. The latter two items will help me keep in touch with the support boat." Sponsors include Estate Master - Hill PDA, The Sailing Scene (supplying the Laser), Ronstan, Queensport Wetsuits, The Wooden Boat Shop and Arthur Brett Sails. Michael will be available for satellite phone interviews along the way providing an insight into the focus and endurance required to reach the mainland. Photo images and footage will be available to media.

Media Release - Tuesday 8th March 2004 9:30pm
Australian Olympian Michael Blackburn is all set to leave Tasmania in his Laser tomorrow morning at approximately 2:30am for his historic Bass Strait crossing.
The current weather conditions are favourable for Blackburn to cross the strait. Tonight, there are scattered clouds with a10 knot south-west wind blowing. The breeze is expected to increase to 20-25 knots tomorrow with three-five metre swells. Following Michael in the support boat is West Ashton, who will film the crossing and Tim Phillips on the helm. "The delays have been a little frustrating but there's nothing we could do about it. It looks like it will be a good day tomorrow so I'm happy about that," Blackburn says. Now that the bigger seas have abated from earlier in the week, the smaller seas are more suitable for a faster crossing. Blackburn says the adrenalin is starting to kick in. "I've been thinking about it and I know it's going to be a lot of the same sort of stuff. There will be a lot of waves, water and wind blowing. Sailing with lots of waves and sailing a lot of the same." The delayed start has allowed for further preparation: "I've had a good chance to talk with the guys about what's going to happen once we leave and how we'll take off in the dark. It will be a bit tricky so we don't want to get separated. "I've been trying to eat as much as I can. Staying full, and keeping the weight on. I've been doing a bit of exercise each day. It's hard to do my normal program but I feel pretty fresh. I been riding around on a pushbike and everyday I've been doing my exercises." Blackburn is sticking to a simple diet once out on the water with plenty of Sustagen and other energy drinks like Gatorade and Powerade. "Bananas and carbohydrates, and probably after all that boring food I'll ask the guys to make me a sandwich," he says. The reaction to the crossing from the Stanley locals has been supportive. "Most people are quite shocked when we tell them what we're doing. Some say "Oh my God" while others say "Good on you, have a go." The fishermen are a little more sceptical" Sponsors include Estate Master - Hill PDA, The Sailing Scene (supplying the Laser), Ronstan, Queensport Wetsuits, The Wooden Boat Shop and Arthur Brett Sails. Michael will be available for satellite phone interviews along the way providing an insight into the focus and endurance required to reach the mainland. Photo images and footage will be available to media.

Bass Strait conquered by Laser Dinghy sailor
Media Release Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:30am
Blackburn sets sail across Bass Strait Australian Olympian Michael Blackburn sailed out of Stanley on Tasmania's North West coast at approximately 3:00am this morning on his 4.2 metre Laser in his attempt to sail across Bass Strait. His course is 010, his destination Tidal River near Wilson's Promontory, Victoria, Australia. Latest reports received this morning from his support boat; her crew include West Ashton, who will film the crossing and Tim Phillips on the helm. At 11:00am, Blackburn was almost half way across in a 15-knot breeze with a two-metre swell and sailing well. Last contact had him just passing the most westerly oilrig in Bass Strait, Yolla, and enjoying himself. The current conditions on western Bass Strait are a little more northerly than the forecast west/south-westerly winds of 10-15 knots. Seas are expected to swell to one metre. South-west swell 2 to 2.5 metres decreasing to 1.5 to 2 metres. It is 115 nautical (207km) mile journey across Bass Strait from Stanley to Tidal River near Wilson Promontory. Sponsors include Estate Master - Hill PDA, The Sailing Scene (supplying the Laser), Ronstan, Queensport Wetsuits, The Wooden Boat Shop and Arthur Brett Sails. Michael will be available for satellite phone interviews along the way providing an insight into the focus and endurance required to reach the mainland. Photo images and footage will be available to media.

Wed, 9 Mar 2005
One of the most ferocious pieces of water in the world was today conquered by Australian sailing Olympic Bronze medallist.
Michael Blackburn, sailed his 4.2 metre Laser Dinghy from Stanley in Northern Tasmania 115 nautical miles to Tidal Beach in Norman Bay, near Wilson's Promontory, Victoria in 13.5 hours. The perfect weather window opened for the Sydney sailor, with winds of 15-20 knots powering his tiny craft, with pocket-handkerchief 7 square metres of sail ' I hoisted sail at 3:30 am. The first few hours before dawn was pretty hairy, I was planing downwind doing 8-9's, with no moon and no stars, a couple of times I put the bow in the water and filled the cockpit. First light was a little after 6am and it was a relief to see the waves were not as big as they seemed in the dark. We knew we just had to be patient and wait for the right day and this was it. I always knew Lasers were fun down-wind, I reckon I caught a wave just about every 10 seconds for 13 and a half hours (4000+ waves). My average speed was 8.6 knots. Today has just been a blast.' 37-year-old Blackburn, who sailed in the Laser class at three Olympics, was a heartbreaking two points out of the medals in Atlanta, but won Bronze in Sydney. By 2004 he reached number one in the world rankings and again won selection but finished nineth. Blackburn has been freshening up with some big boat sailing, he has been calling tactics very successfully on one of the top Sydney 38's in Australia, Estate Master and sailed south in the 60th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race. His aim now? 'This years Volvo Round the World race looks interesting.' Sponsors include Estate Master - Hill PDA, The Sailing Scene (supplying the Laser), Ronstan, Queensport Wetsuits, The Wooden Boat Shop and Arthur Brett Sails.

Media Release Thurs, 10 Mar 2005 3:30am
Blackburn crosses Bass Strait in Laser
Australian Olympian Michael Blackburn arrived at Tidal River near Wilson's Promontory, in Victoria, Australia late on Wednesday afternoon having conquered Bass Strait in his 4.2 metre Laser. The Bronze medallist powered across the strait with average boat speed of 8.6 knot and said the trip was, "a blast". 'I hoisted sail at 3:30 am. The first few hours before dawn was pretty hairy, I was planing downwind doing 8-9's, with no moon and no stars, a couple of times I put the bow in the water and filled the cockpit. "First light was a little after 6am and it was a relief to see the waves were not as big as they seemed in the dark. We knew we just had to be patient and wait for the right day and this was it. "I always knew Lasers were fun down-wind, I reckon I caught a wave just about every 10 seconds for 13 and a half hours (4000+ waves)." The 115 nautical (207km) mile journey across Bass Strait from Stanley in Tasmania took only 13.5 hours. Sponsors include Estate Master - Hill PDA, The Sailing Scene (supplying the Laser), Ronstan, Queensport Wetsuits, The Wooden Boat Shop and Arthur Brett Sails. Michael is available for interview and photo images and footage is now available to media.

Releases by Rob Kothe
Website: http://www.sailfitter.com/basshome.html
For all media inquiries please contact Lulu Roseman 0414 961 873, 02 9698 2284 or lulu.roseman@bigpond.com


Back to Main Page