Perpetual Loyal unveils 1120 square metre A2 for Rolex Sydney Hobart

by Nic Douglass on 17 Dec 2014 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Perpetual Loyal is no stranger to the Rolex Sydney Hobart. Winning line honours in 2011, they have continued to be a contender, especially in heavier breezes.

That said, true winners never stop trying to exceed their past performances, so the Perpetual Loyal team have been doing a lot to work on their downwind speed, in particular VMG running angles.

An extension of the bow prod by 1.5 metres enabled the team at North Sails Australia, to develop an A2 sail of 1120 square metres to help Perpetual Loyal match the angels of Wild Oats XI downwind.

'We identified a need to improve the angles for the boat downwind. We have improved our VMG angles substantially, which will give us far more tactical options for this year’s race south', said North Sails Australia’s managing director Michael Coxon who is also the tactician and sailing master aboard Perpetual Loyal.

'1120 square metres is by far the largest sail I know of, it is an amazing piece of work. We are still not sure whether we will be able to match Wild Oats XI for speed, as she is great downhill, but at least now we can match her angles to make sure we can stay in touch'.

The team tested the sail for the first time on 6 December on the Bird Island Race, and then again during the Solas Big Boat Challenge on 9 December, though a small issue with the furling device on board meant the sail was only used for one of the downwind legs.

Anthony Bell, the owner of Perpetual Loyalreflects on the new sail, and the upcoming Hobart race below at 19:35. One of Perpetual Loyal’s helmsman, Tom Slingsby also chats about the new sail and the upcoming Rolex Sydney Hobart at 24:30.

Loyal Foundation

The Loyal Foundation was set up by Bell Partners in 2009 with the sole goal of raising much needed funds for charities such as the Humpty Dumpty Foundation that provides much needed children’s medical equipment to Australian hospitals.
Since its inception, the Loyal Foundation has raised over $3 million and they are again aiming to raise over one million dollars this year. The Loyal Foundation is a pure charity with 100 cents in every dollar donated, making its way to eligible charities.

This year Australian celebrities Sally Fitzgibbons (surfing), Danny Greene (boxing), Phil Waugh (Rugby Union) and Tom Slingsby (sailing) will be a part of the crew sailing to Hobart in part to raise funds for this fantastic charity.