Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2024

News
2023
Corinthian Spirit

Corinthian Spirit

NEWS
14 Jun, 2023 10:19:00 AM

Corinthian Spirit

Geoff Hill is the well-known owner of the Santa Cruz 52 Antipodes and he is a living embodiment of the Corinthian Spirit. An amiable merchant banker and terrific advocate for the sport, Hill was first inspired to start sailing after watching Alan Bond win the America’s Cup in 1983. Hill has now done all of the iconic races including Newport, Bermuda, and a Rolex Fastnet race, as well as having had the experience of being overall winner on Love & War in the 2006 Rolex Sydney-Hobart.

Geoff last contested Hobart with his daughter Natasha Parker in 2022, and this year will return with his daughter as part of the crew on Antipodes in the 2023 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race.

“You tend to forget the hard and sharp times when you’re wet and freezing. You remember the good memories, the teamwork, the camaraderie and laughter,” Hill said after completing Rolex Sydney to Hobart in 2022.

His yacht, a custom 72-foot carbon hulled racer cruiser, was completely overhauled and upgraded in 2012.

Antipodes was based up in Asia from 2012-2020, successfully competing in all major Asian races, including winning her division at the Kings Cup and Raja Muda regatta. Geoff Hill’s Antipodes also holds the race record for Darwin to Dili and Darwin to Ambon yacht races.

After his boat was moored at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club during Covid, Geoff brought it back from Asia last year, and is currently taking part in the CYCA’s Winter Series, ahead of the Noakes Gold Coast Yacht Race.

In the lead up to the race, Hill’s daughter Natasha Parker said their crew is just excited to compete and have fun.

“I’m really just excited about the Sydney Gold Coast race. We have a talented crew on Antipodes – who are also great guys," says Natasha Parker. “I’m looking forward to the adventure and plenty of laughs along the way. We’ve been racing well together in the CYCA Winter Series – and we’re coming first at the moment!”

Still despite having a competitive edge, she agrees with her father Geoff, it’s the journey and not the conquest, that makes sailing such a vibe.

“Mostly, it’s really special to have the opportunity to do this race with Dad for the first time – after sailing together in the 2022 Sydney to Hobart, Cabbage Tree Island Race and Hamilton Island Race Week,” Natasha says.

After the race is all finished, Geoff Hill will go on to Airlie Beach Race Week and Hamilton Island Race Week, to sail with friends and family and relax. We are wishing Antipodes a world of fun in the next race and look forward to seeing them out on the water.