'I've fought in five wars': Ex-army veteran Rod West's bold claim about Bass Strait
The Bass Strait is a notorious game-changer for all sailors in the Sydney to Hobart.
Sailors each year recall their fears when travelling through the Strait, but for one veteran of the competition, it is a place he believes is scarier than a war zone.
"I fought in five different wars, but I've never been as frightened as I have been when (travelling) in the Bass Strait," Rod West told 9News.
READ MORE: Ratings: Career-best form means one Aussie has No.1 title
READ MORE: Aussies set for shake-up with Cummins in doubt for Boxing Day
READ MORE: Paul laughs off rigged claims as gruesome toll revealed
A former army brigadier, West is preparing for his eighth Sydney to Hobart race, taking to the waters as captain of Esprit for the 2025 edition.
The Esprit team are no strangers, like West, to what it is like to face frightening situations, with most having also worked in the military.
Rod West, skipper of Esprit. 9News
West admitted that those in the group who are ex-military did sail while in the Army.
"Some ask why we didn't sail for the navy, well, we sailed for fun," he revealed.
Esprit are not hunting down any records when they take to the water this year, but that will not deter the team from taking the competition seriously.
But if there is one thing that is driving the team to have great success, the crew is simply putting it down to the team's spirit and mateship.
The Esprit crew. 9News
As for whether they are now used to racing through the chaotic waters to Hobart, West admits that there is never a year he doesn't learn something new.
"It definitely doesn't get easier (racing), in some ways it gets harder," West said.
"You do know a bit more (each time you compete), but you also get a bit more frightened from time to time.
"Sometimes you get to Hobart and think 'I'm never ever doing this again'. Then a week later you go, 'oh, it wasn't that bad. Maybe we will line-up again next year'.
"You just have to remember the good times."
Still, there is one feeling that West admits he will never forget: docking in Hobart.
"It is immense. You can't really describe it. You have to be there," he said.
