'It took me a year': German man's very long voyage from Germany to Australia so he could compete in Sydney to Hobart boat race is revealed
- German man has sailed halfway around the world to compete in yacht race
- Friedrich Boehnert and crew join 11 international boats in Sydney to Hobart race
- The iconic race will begin at 1pm New South Wales time on Wednesday
A German man has sailed from the other side of the world to Australia compete in tomorrow's Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Yachtsman Friedrich Boehnert is currently sailing around the world with only a few crew members, having sailed 18,000 nautical miles so far to get to the main event - the start line of the famous Australian yacht race.
His wife Heinke, a well-known artist, and their children Arno, 27, and Inga, 26, have joined him in Sydney to help crew his boat, Lunatix, for the 628 nautical mile race.
The crew of Lunatix including Friedrich Boehnert (top right) and children Arno (bottom left) and Inga (bottom right)
'It took me a year. I think you have to be a little bit of a lunatic to sail halfway around the world to sail the Sydney to Hobart,' Mr Boehnert told 7 News.
Mr Boehnert is a keen sailor who has competed in many previous races.
He says every serious sailor in Germany wants to compete in the Sydney to Hobart and looks forward to being able to share the experience with his children.
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'Arno did the Rolex Fastnet, Middle Sea and Giraglia races with me, and also the Atlantic. He has been in my crew since he was 14,' he told sailing publication sail-world.com last week.
'Inga has mostly sailed separately to us, she races in Europe a lot,' he said.
A German man has sailed from the other side of the world to Australia compete in tomorrow's Sydney to Hobart yacht race
He is one of 11 international boats competing in the race tomorrow.
A Polish vesel, Monster Project,was issued with a Notice of Arrest earlier this week due to an alleged failure to maintain proper insurance.
Mr Boehnert will continue his round-the-world voyage after the race, heading to South Africa and then Europe where he will race in the Mediterranean before heading home to Germany.
The race will start at 1pm New South Wales time Wednesday with coverage on Channel 7 and 7Mate.
Last year's winner Ichi Ban is hoping for a repeat victory though it will see some strong competition from the likes of Wild Oats XI and Perpetual LOYAL.
