No race to Hobart for time challenged Alfa Romeo

by Edward Rowe on 4 Nov 2004 International shipping schedules have ended the dream of Alfa Romeo skipper, Neville Crichton, of taking line honours in the 2004 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race – a possible 75th win that the remarkable Australian super maxi yacht could achieve since her launch in 2002.

‘It really is very disappointing,’ says Crichton, who won line honours in the 2002 race. ‘There was just one ship that could get Alfa Romeo back to Australia in time for race, and even then, with little time to properly prepare for what is one of the toughest and most demanding yacht races in the world.

Unfortunately, that ship has now pushed her schedule out another ten days, ending any hope of getting Alfa Romeo back to Australia in time for the race.’

Alfa Romeo led the field from start to finish in the 2002 Hobart race, then went to Europe via the Millennium Cup in New Zealand for the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

During this time, she took her line honours tally to 74, including the 2003 Rolex Fastnet race, the Rolex Giraglia Cup, including a race record in the 2003 event, the Maxi Worlds, the Barcolana and the Trophy Zegna.

Alfa Romeo ended her European season in dramatic style, capsizing in a wild storm, a situation the team recovered from quickly to take line honours in the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

‘All our efforts are now focused on the 2005 Rolex Sydney to Hobart,’ Crichton said.

‘Construction is now well underway on Alfa Romeo’s successor, which will be as technologically advanced as this boat was when launched.

‘We plan to launch the new yacht in July next year and we have set ourselves the target of beating the record set by Alfa Romeo - 74 line honours wins in two and half years,’ he added.