![The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 yacht 'DOWN UNDER'S' team celebrate arriving at Constitution Dock in Hobart just before dawn on December 30, 2017. *** Local Caption *** Invictus Games Sydney 2018 military teams participated in the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from December 26 to 30. The Australian team crewed the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 yacht DOWN UNDER. The Australians participated alongside a UK Team crewing Invictus Games Sydney 2018 yacht GAME ON. The Australian crew of eight that took part in the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was supported by the Australian Defence Force, the Returned and Services League, Solider On and Mates for Mates. The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is an iconic blue water classic race of 628 nautical miles starting annually on Boxing Day in majestic Sydney Harbour. The two crews set sail from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia on Boxing Day as part of the wider race contingent. Those selected were not necessarily part of their nations Invictus Games Team for the Sydney Games as these teams are yet to be selected. The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event for serving and former defence personnel which will be held from 2027 October 2018 in Sydney. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women. The fourth Invictus Games will be held in Sydney during which the sport of sailing will debut on the competition schedule.](https://adbr.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20171230adf8500210_024.jpg)
The Australian crew of Invictus Games 2018 Down Under completing the 2017 Sydney to Hobart yacht race early on December 30. (Defence)
Two crews comprising wounded Australian and British defence personnel successfully completed the 2017 Sydney to Hobart yacht race on the evening of December 29.
Each crew comprised 16 former ADF or British Forces personnel who had been wounded, illness or had been injured. The Australian crew in Invictus Games 2018 Down Under, and the UK crew sailing Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Game On completed the gruelling ocean race within 11 hours of each other, with the UK crew claiming the ‘Ashes on Water’ on this occasion.
“Everyone has taken so much from this trip,” said Dan Fielding, a former Royal Marine. “Most of us have taken more out of the last three days than we’ve taken from the last three years. We’ve bonded as a team and we worked hard at every revolution. There’s a lot of revolutions over a race like this, but we worked for each other, snatching sleep here and there and working the boat for the conditions.”
“With a head wind we had to do a lot of tacking on the way up, it’s a lot of fun because everybody has to work together you can’t escape anyone either,” added Australian WOFF Craig McGrath. “It forces you to get along with people and to work together and I really like doing that.”
The 2018 Invictus Games will be held in Sydney from 20 – 27 October.
![The UK-teamed yacht 'GAME ON' arriving at Constitution Dock, Hobart. *** Local Caption *** Invictus Games Sydney 2018 military teams participated in the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from December 26 to 30. The Australian team crewed the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 yacht DOWN UNDER. The Australians participated alongside a UK Team crewing Invictus Games Sydney 2018 yacht GAME ON. The Australian crew of eight that took part in the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was supported by the Australian Defence Force, the Returned and Services League, Solider On and Mates for Mates. The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is an iconic blue water classic race of 628 nautical miles starting annually on Boxing Day in majestic Sydney Harbour. The two crews set sail from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia on Boxing Day as part of the wider race contingent. Those selected were not necessarily part of their nations Invictus Games Team for the Sydney Games as these teams are yet to be selected. The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event for serving and former defence personnel which will be held from 2027 October 2018 in Sydney. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women. The fourth Invictus Games will be held in Sydney during which the sport of sailing will debut on the competition schedule.](https://adbr.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20171229adf8500210_046.jpg)
The British crew of Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Game On took line honours in the ‘Ashes on the Water’. (Defence)