#RSHYR - An Australian journalist has written of her shock at being barred from the Sydney to Hobart Race media centre over an article criticising the rising cost of competing in major sailing events.
Sue Neales, a rural and regional affairs reporter with The Australian, says she arrived at the press centre yesterday morning (31 December) as she had done each day since the race began, only to be pulled aside by centre head Di Pearson.
Neales recounts: "'[Title sponsor] Rolex is very unhappy with your article yesterday about how sponsorship is ruining sailing,' Ms Pearson told me angrily. 'You are no longer welcome in this media centre. Please pack up your things and leave.'"
The article in question draws connections between the public's waning interest in the Sydney to Hobart and other major sailing events and the funding from high-level sponsors that puts bigger teams at a significant performance advantage on the water.
The Australian has more on the story HERE.