Secret Men's Business takes line honours in Adelaide to Lincoln Race

by Harry Fisher on 17 Feb 2013 Secret Men’s Business of the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia (CYCSA) has taken out the Line Honours victory in the 2013 Lexus Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht Race in dominating fashion.

Skipper Geoff Boettcher and his crew of 12 other men sailed a strategically sound race in light and testing conditions to come out victors two and a half hours ahead of second place boat Scarlet Runner of the Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) in Victoria.

Scarlet Runner who has won the race the last three years in a row was not able to continue their winning streak against a star studded Secret Men’s Business crew.

The light and variable conditions provided a level playing field between the two favourites and it became clear that a race record was going to be near impossible.

Geoff Boettcher, skipper of Secret Men’s Business explained how with such light and difficult conditions forecasted, the race would be fought for more strategically.

'The conditions provided a level playing field between us and Scarlett Runner, and the race was always going to be won or lost tactically.

'We were more dominant tactically, getting on the right side of a couple wind shifts early in the race and ended up with a strong lead that we carried through to the end', Boettcher said this morning after the race.

Boettcher continued to explain that although Scarlet Runner had been successful in the previous three Adelaide to Port Lincoln races, he believed that after an unsuccessful Sydney to Hobart race last year they were determined to get back in the winners circle.

'We suffered a broken rudder in the Hobart race, and only just got it repaired this week.

'Along with an excellent bunch of guys on board I felt confident that we would be able to win the race', Boettcher said.

Secret Men’s Business was fortunate enough to have four members of the 1987 South Australian America’s Cup Team on board for this years race.

Port Lincoln locals Steve Kemp and Andy Dyer who regularly sail on Secret Men's Business as well as Julian Freeman and New Zealander Richard Bouzaird who was the team sail maker in ’87 all sailed on board Secret Men’s Business and skipper Boettcher expressed his appraisal of these men.

'The knowledge on board for this race kept driving the boat to it’s maximum potential', Boettcher said.

With only two boats finished the race well in to the Saturday afternoon, it will be interesting to see how many more make there way in to Port Lincoln, as the conditions become more difficult, and what boats are able to fight it out for IRC and handicap honours.

For more information visit the regatta website at www.lincolnweek.com.au