This time of year is always special for Andrew McKay.
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Not just because of Christmas festivities but because December 26 marks the start of the famed Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
It normally has but this year, as has been said over and over in recent months, is different.
For the first time in 76 years to Sydney to Hobart isn't being contested as border restrictions have made it impossible to hold.
McKay is not only a fan of the race, he's been out on the water and completed it twice in the past.
And this year, like last, he had planned on taking part in the Sail and Chain, an event where bike riders race the boats from the Sydney harbour to the Tasmanian capital.
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"Everyone looks forward to Boxing Day and 1pm when the starter's gun goes off in Sydney Harbour," McKay said.
"The amount of people who get involved, whether it be spectators, crew, or people tuning in during the lunch break of the Boxing Day Test. There's people watching on TV or at the harbour.
"It won't be the same this year but under the circumstances they had no choice.
"It will definitely be a different Christmas this year without it."
McKay completed the Sydney to Hobart in 2009 and 2013.
He was part of the Art Equity Mahligai team both times, working under skipper Murray Owens in what he described as a rewarding experience.
"They were great years and I was very fortunate because Mahligai has completed every race they've done," he said.
"It's a very sound crew and Murray Owens and Jenny Kings, who own the boat, just prepare it so well so that literally nothing goes wrong in the race.
"It's amazing and knowing what it's like when you get down to Constitution Dock, it's literally people everywhere and Hobart's biggest week."
With it being such a big and important few days for Hobart annually, McKay added he really felt for the city's businesses who rely so much on the crowds and tourism the race brings.
This marks the second successive year McKay had hoped to ride to Hobart and race the Mahligai team on bikes only to see plans scuppered.
Last year the bike race started but bushfires on the south coast made riding virtually impossible while the border restrictions have stopped he and his team this time around.
"It's definitely easier being on land than being on the boat," he laughed.
"At the end of the night you get to get into a bed and go to sleep as opposed to having to bunk down.
"It's just one of those things though, when the news (of COVID cases) came through on Saturday and them being on the northern beaches where so many teams are based they didn't have a choice at all.
"But hopefully this time next year things are back on an even keel, pardon the pun, and we can revisit it."
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
