2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Launch of Ragamuffin 100

by Louise Bashford on 27 Nov 2014 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - The official launch of Syd Fischer’s super maxi, Ragamuffin 100, will take place next Tuesday, 2 December 2014, at Sydney City Marine Complex, Rozelle.

Ragamuffin 100 is a brand new hull fitted to the refurbished deck of his previous Ragamuffin 100 footer which contested the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race last year. The hull is water ballasted and has a canting keel, new rig and new sails.

At 87, Fischer will be the oldest yachtsman to contest the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, his 46th, making him one of just three yachtsmen to surpass 45 races. He has previously twice taken line honours (1998 and 1990) and won overall in 1992 from 110 entries. He has finished second and third on line and overall multiple times in a distinguished sailing career dating back to 1962.

Fischer has also won on the international stage several times and captained Australia multiple times at the Kenwood and Admiral’s Cups. With Sir Thomas Lipton, he remains the only individual to privately back five America’s Cup campaigns.

Fischer and Ragamuffin 100 will join the other 117 yachts for this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race including defending triple crown holder Wild Oats XI (Bob Oatley), Perpetual Loyal (Anthony Bell), and US entries, Comanche (Jim Clark and Kristy Hinze-Clark) and RIO 100 (Manouch Moshayedi).