First Offshore Race for Freeloader crew
Jeremy on the helm of Freeloader
Skipper Jeremy Capon of the Wauquiez C 40 Freeloader has completed his first of what he hopes will be many offshore races in the recent West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint Race 3.
While Jeremy has extensive experience at sea from his time in commercial crayfishing, this marked his first offshore sailing race, both for him and his crew.
“I’ve sailed on and off for over 20 years and have really enjoyed teaching a brand-new crew over the past two seasons,” Jeremy said. “We’re a group of dads who met through our children’s school, and this was our first offshore sailing experience together.”
Reflecting on the race, Jeremy highlighted the key takeaways: “Spending time on the ocean, learning to manage constant motion, and moving safely around the boat. It was a great stepping stone and a valuable learning curve before taking on longer passages of 50 nautical miles or multi-day races.”
“Freeloader our yacht, was owned by my father-in-law, and when he retired from sailing, I realised it was a better boat than the one we had,” Jeremy explained.
Preparing both boat and crew required some effort. “I really appreciate the work that’s gone in, particularly upgrading the electronics, AIS, and MOB systems,” Jeremy said. “The ORCV website was a great resource, and we’re now accredited to Category 2.”
Jeremy’s background in crayfishing includes years working the waters from Apollo Bay to Wilsons Promontory and down to King Island. “I know the coastline, the rocks, and the currents, but I’m still learning how to read the winds off the land and hills,” he said.
Freeloader crew before racing, Jeremy Capon back in dark bib and brace
Together as a crew, we completed the Safety and Sea Survival course in February. “It was an eye-opener for everyone and a great refresher for me as a former commercial skipper,” Jeremy noted.
Looking ahead, Jeremy is focused on building crew skills and experience, with more time on the ocean to accelerating their learning in varied conditions. As the team prepares for the next race, he’s particularly excited about the passage to Apollo Bay.
“I’m really looking forward to Apollo Bay, having lived and worked in that region, it’s going to feel like going home,” he said, as Jeremy and his crew continues working toward taking on the full ORCV race calendar when family life permits.
