Featured image photo credit: Rolex | Carlo Borlenghi
We are excited to share the news that Celestial V70, owned and skippered by our former Board Director, Dr Sam Haynes, was announced Overall Winner of the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart race. Sam and his team were presented with the Tattersall Cup in Hobart Harbour on Sunday afternoon, 29 December.
This is Sam’s 13th Sydney to Hobart race as a skipper and the second time he has won the Tattersall Cup after claiming victory in 2022. When asked about winning for a second time, Sam said, “It does have a different feel about it, this race. The loss of life of two competitors – we are mindful of that – my thoughts are with the families.”
Sam is the proprietor and a Director of Sydney Animal Hospitals and recently retired from the Board at Assistance Dogs Australia after 17 years of service. We are grateful to have his support and recently accepted a donation of $20, 388 raised by Sydney Animal Hospital’s Lump Amnesty Campaign.
The campaign supports our mission to provide those with disability with the life-changing support of internationally-accredited Assistance Dogs, and it also served to save countless pets by encouraging their owners to get lumps checked and removed.
Ahead of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the morning before the Cabbage Tree Island Race, ADA joined Sam and his crew at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia headquarters to celebrate the success of the Lump Amnesty Campaign and to accept the donation.
Having the ADA logo on Celestial V70’s starboard side is an honour that we do not take lightly, and we are very grateful to Sam and Sydney Animal Hospitals for their support. Thank you to everyone who supported the campaign, and thank you to Sam for your ongoing support of ADA.
From everyone at ADA, congratulations to the Celestial V70 team!
While we celebrate successes, we also acknowledge the reality that two lives were tragically lost in this event and our thoughts go to their friends and families. We understand race organisers have said they will investigate the deaths – the first in this race since 1998. If you are affected by this news in any way and are looking for support, we welcome you to make use of the resources below.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Photo credits: Ashley Dart, Maddie Andrews, Allysia Murray, Carlo Borlenghi
Celebrating the success of Sydney Animal Hospital’s Lump Amnesty Campaign
Assistance Dog Maya and ADA team member Laura
Assistance Dogs Jojo and Maya with the crew on board Celestial V70
