Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Official launch November 26

by Jennifer Crooks RSHYR media on 19 Nov 2013 The official launch of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2013 is set to take place next Tuesday, 26 November 2013, at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, 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) 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.

When: 9.30am arrival for 10.00am start - Tuesday 26 November, 2013

Where: Cruising Yacht Club of Australia - 1 New Beach Road, Darling Point, Sydney (Limited street parking only – please allow extra time to park)

Who:

- Howard Piggott, Commodore Cruising Yacht Club Australia
- Mark Richards, skipper Wild Oats XI
- Anthony Bell, skipper Perpetual Loyal
- Celebrity crew member, Perpetual Loyal
- Matt Allen, owner and skipper Ichi Ban
- Roger Hickman, owner and skipper Wild Rose
- Crew member Spirit of Mateship

Visuals:

- Skippers with yachts at marina – Ichi Ban, Wild Rose and Spirit of Mateship. (Please note Wild Oats XI and Perpetual Loyal are NOT moored at CYCA)
- Line honours and overall winner trophies, plus a Rolex Yacht-Master Rolex Sydney Hobart website