As the iconic Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race prepares for its Boxing Day start, one vessel is turning heads for its sheer elegance as much as its racing pedigree. Professional sailor Katy MacDonald has declared the 78-foot Oroton Drumfire the 'most beautiful' yacht in the entire fleet, a sentiment many onlookers at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia would find hard to dispute.
A Riviera Beauty Built for Racing
Constructed in 2007, Oroton Drumfire possesses a timeless aesthetic more reminiscent of cruising the French Riviera than battling the notorious 628-nautical-mile journey to Hobart. Designed by the renowned Dutch naval architecture firm Hoek, the yacht is primarily aluminium but is distinguished by its exquisite vintage-style mahogany finishes and a distinctive double cockpit.
This year marks Drumfire's sixth attempt at the classic bluewater race. Her striking lines are matched by a impressively large sail area, and she made a memorable impression this week by unfurling a dramatic 'Drumfire' flag at the CYCA. "I'm definitely biased, but also yeah, I think she is the most beautiful (yacht in the race)," said MacDonald, who is sailing on Drumfire to Hobart for a third time. "She is stunning."
Luxury at Sea: From Library to Air-Fryer
Life aboard Drumfire blends competitive spirit with considerable comfort. The timber interior features a library stocked with travel and sailing books, and is equipped with two televisions for the crew to follow the Boxing Day Ashes Test during the voyage south. While artwork usually adorns the cabins, it has been removed for the rigours of racing.
The galley is suitably equipped for gourmet moments at sea, featuring an air-fryer used for snacks like spring rolls. The crew plans a beef roast for one evening, following last year's successful lamb roast. "That (lamb roast) was at 28 knots steaming across the Bass Strait, as in, wind speed 28 knots," MacDonald recalled. The onboard luxury has even spawned a running joke about serving lobster on a future Hobart campaign.
From Cruiser to Racer: An Eight-Week Transformation
This enviable floating lifestyle is hard-earned. For most of the year, Oroton Drumfire is used for leisurely cruising by her owner, billionaire fund manager Will Vicars. Converting her into a competitive racing yacht requires a significant transformation.
The process of flipping from cruiser to racer takes between six and eight weeks for a dedicated crew working full-time. "You turn it upside down," MacDonald explained. "All the cushions, all the beds, there's tables, chairs, everything sort of comes out. Then we cover pretty much everything that is varnished in tape and corflute so that it's protected."
Eyes on the Ultimate Prize: The Tattersall Cup
Despite the creature comforts and cricket, the crew's focus remains firmly on performance. For the past two years, Drumfire has triumphed in the race's PHS handicap category. This year, however, the yacht has been rated to contest the more rigorous IRC category, which determines the overall winner and the coveted Tattersall Cup.
This elevates their ambitions significantly. "We're hoping to make it a back-to-back again," said MacDonald, now targeting the pinnacle of Sydney to Hobart success. As the beautiful Oroton Drumfire sets sail on Boxing Day, she carries not just a skilled crew and a well-stocked galley, but a serious claim for the event's highest honour.
