Black Jack marks 50th entry for Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

by Ross MacDonald on 26 Sep 2017 Peter Harburg’s Black Jack marks the 50th entry received by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, adding to speculation that 73rd race will showcase the largest super maxi line-up in the history of the race.

Black Jack is the former 100ft Alfa Romeo II, the first yacht to break Wild Oats XI’s line honours stranglehold when then owner Neville Crichton beat his quarry by little over two hours in 2009.

Crichton built an extraordinary collection of records and line honours victories with the 2005 built Alfa Romeo II. She arrived to the 2009 Sydney Hobart having amassed 143 line honours victories, mainly abroad, before Crichton sold the yacht, which became known as Esimit Europa 2.

Enter Queensland’s Harburg, who says: “I choose proven boats over new designs.” It has worked with previous Black Jacks. But he thirsted for more, admitting, “My other yachts couldn’t keep pace with the super maxis.”

Re-launching just in time for 2017 Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast race in late July, Black Jack stopped hearts when she finished 3mins 31secs astern of Wild Oats XI – the closest finish in the history of the race.

She was next raced at Hamilton Island where Wild Oats proved better in winder conditions, while Black Jack was superior in lighter winds.

Wild Oats XI’s skipper, Mark ‘Ricko’ Richards said after that event: “Oats is set up for (Sydney) Hobart mode and Black Jack is set up for light airs. It’s amazing the cross-over - it’s huge.”

Bradford response to that is: “Our whole model and thinking is to own the light air corner – to operate in that space. At Hamilton Island, we ticked that box. The others operate in conditions different to ours.”

Although yet to enter, Richards has affirmed the Oatley family’s record eight-time Sydney Hobart line honours champion will be on the start line, following disappointment of the last two years when the 100 footer became a casualty of the race.

Already entered is the most feared super maxi in the world – Comanche. American Jim Clark and his wife Kristy launched the boat in 2014 and tested her in the Rolex Sydney Hobart. She finished 49mins 18secs behind Wild Oats after struggling in unusually light airs in Bass Strait.

But her incredible downwind speed became apparent as the fleet were exiting Sydney Harbour. Then came record breaking line honours victories overseas before returning to Sydney in 2015 and took line honours from Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin 100 after Wild Oats retired.

Ragamuffin 100 was rebadged Scallywag last year when Hong Kong’s Seng Huang Lee purchased the yacht. Skipper for both owners, David ‘Witty’ Witt, took the boat to third on line, one of a trio to break Wild Oats’ 2012 race record.

Despite Lee’s entry in the current Volvo Ocean Race, with Witt at its helm, Witt confirms: “We’re entered. SH (owner Lee) has made lots of modifications to Scallywag and we’ll arrive to race already having put in a few thousand ocean miles.”

Yet to enter, Ludde Ingvall has intimated CQS will return. She placed seventh on line last year after being caught by the fickle Derwent River. She has since taken line honours in two European races. Before she was lengthened, Ingvall took the former Nicorette to line honours victory in the 2004 Sydney Hobart.

Last year’s line honours victor and new record holder, Perpetual Loyal, may also be a starter. New owner, Christian Beck, is currently considering his options.

The Boxing Day start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will be broadcast live on the Seven Network throughout Australia.

Online entry and Notice of Race in English and Mandarin are available online.