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NEWS
Launch of Sydney Hobart 2013
Exciting new 95-yacht-strong Hobart race launched todayThe official launch of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2013 will take place today (Tuesday, November 26) at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), Rushcutters Bay, Sydney. The launch will mark just one calendar month until the Boxing Day start of one of the world’s most famous yacht races.
A fleet of 95 yachts is expected to line up for this year’s race and details will be officially announced by CYCA Commodore Howard Piggott. A panel of skippers and crew contesting the 69th Rolex Sydney Hobart will be present at the launch.
One of the most compelling line-honours battles in recent years will be between defending triple crown holder Wild Oats XI (Bob Oatley's yacht pictured above)) taking on what is allegedly the fastest racing super maxi in the world, Perpetual Loyal (Anthony Bell), Ragamuffin 100 (Syd Fischer) and Wild Thing (Grant Wharington).
Bell purchased the former Speedboat/Rambler earlier this year and has once again assembled a heavyweight crew including navigator Stan Honey and Tom Slingsby, the 2012 Laser Olympic gold medallist and strategist for the America’s Cup winner, Oracle, along with some celebrities.
Ichi Ban, a brand new Carkeek 60, is one of 15 new boats in the fleet and CYCA past commodore, Matt Allen, is hoping that this powerful racer will deliver his first overall race win after coming so close with his previous yacht.
Proving that age is no barrier, Roger Hickman’s 28-year-old Farr 43 Wild Rose, has secured a third place and three consecutive wins in the CYCA’s current Blue Water Pointscore and is emerging as one of the favourites for this year’s iconic race. Hickman, with two partners, previously skippered Wild Rose to an overall win in 1993.
Spirit of Mateship will be crewed by 10 wounded, injured, or ill existing and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, known as ‘Brave Mates’, to raise money for the Mates4Mates charity, which provides support to wounded, injured and ill members of the ADF and their families.
These entries are just a taste of what is to come in one of the most colourful races in years. The fleet of 12 Clipper 70s will also join the race south.
Photos: Brett Costello and Carlo Borlenghi.
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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