Clash of the Titans- Skandia versus Konica Minolta

by Rob Kothe on 23 Aug 2004 ‘There is only a fraction between the two boats, Skandia and Konica Minolta, the short course racing is going to be tough.’

Dockside yesterday Grant Wharington skipper of the 2003 Sydney to Hobart winner Skandia, seemingly the fastest 98 footer in the southern hemisphere, thinks the two boats are much closer than anyone imagined.

In the Coral Sea Race, Skandia had the better start, but then a poor spinnaker drop at the first mark and Konica Minolta swept to the lead. Then, as the two titan duelled down the Dent Island shore, better tactics allowed Skandia to break clear.

‘Our new bow canard does not have much affect in light air, but if it gets heavy, it keeps Skandia’s bow up, making a difference. We have a little more sail area now under kite, so that gives us a tiny edge. But she (Konica Minolta) was right on our stern for much of the race. Anything could happen from here.

Certainly both boats will have plenty of opportunities to make minor adjustments over the week.’

With the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race line honours as the goal for both boats, 2004 Hahn Premium Race Week represents their best opportunity to find the extra edge to provide victory.

Both teams will be tweaking and testing, day after day and night after night.

Both of the super maxis are using Doyle Fraser D4 sails, the Australian boat supplied by the Australian loft at Somersby, north of Sydney and the Kiwi boats sails built from D4 membranes, from Doyle NZ designs.

Given the size of the rigs, they are big, big sails. The Hamilton Island Convention Centre has become the new Super maxi loft and it is now a feverish work environment as the tweaking, trimming and adjusting continues.