Famous Farr makes welcome return to ocean racing

by Lisa Ratcliff, CYCA on 30 Jun 2005 The famous Farr 43 Wild Oats is back on the water and being campaigned hard as her crew endeavour to add another CYCA Blue Water Championship to her already impressive ocean racing history.

There is one twist however. Roger Hickman, the owner/skipper of Wild Oats, and the yacht’s former owner from the mid 1980s to early 1990s, Bob Oatley, who now campaigns a Reichel/Pugh 66 also called Wild Oats, have had a friendship for many years and both always agreed that the great history of the Farr designed Wild Oats should not be lost by a name change.

Until now, the two boats have not competed against each other, but as fate has it, with the rise in popularity of the IRC handicap rule, Hickman and Oatley have both entered their respective Wild Oats in the 20th Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race which begins at 1.00pm on Saturday 30 July 2005.

‘To ensure there is no confusion in this race, I am running with the name Wild Rose, even though most people suggested she be named ‘The Goat’, as she is so often referred to,’ said her skipper and CYCA Vice Commodore, Roger Hickman.

Hickman, one of Australia’s most experienced offshore yachtsmen, has been on board five CYCA Blue Water Champion yachts; four as owner/skipper. He was also named CYCA Ocean Racing Yachtsman of the Year in 1997 and is a veteran of 28 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Races, including Overall wins in the 1993 and 2000 races.

‘Wild Oats the Farr 43 is one of the better known yachts in Australia’s modern ocean racing times, having won not only the Sydney Hobart in 1993, but most other offshore races on the east coast of Australia, in addition to twice being the CYCA’s Blue Water Champion.

‘Due to the full swing of handicapping, this great yacht has been given another chance at the top end of offshore yacht racing and we plan to campaign the old girl in as many Blue Water Races as we can, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

‘Competing in major races like the Hobart has never been about getting there first, it’s about who wins the Tattersall Cup, the time adjusted winner. Spending a few extra days getting there simply gives you a better return on the time you allocate to do the greatest ocean sprint race of all,’ Hickman added.

Following the race to Southport, Wild Rose is entering the Southport to Mackay Race, then to compete at Hog’s Breath Race Week before returning to Sydney.

‘I hope that the re-emergence of the Farr 43 in top flight ocean racing will strengthen the resolve of all boat owners who own a yacht that may be considered by some as too old, to give it a go,’ added Hickman.

To date, the CYCA Sailing Office has received 25 entries for the 20th Sydney Gold Coast Race. Entries close at 5.00pm on 14 July 2005.

Official web site http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au