Handicap honours for leading S.A. yacht

by Sean Whittington on 2 Aug 2005 Leading South Australian yacht, Hardys Secret Mens Business, has taken out IRC Division A Handicap honours in the 20th Sydney Gold Coast Yacht race – something her owner Geoff Boettcher had set his heart on before starting the race.

Hardys Secret Mens Business, a relatively new Reichel/Pugh design, completed the 384 nautical mile race in a time of 2 days, 2 hours, 43 minutes and 16 seconds.

For owner/skipper, Boettcher, the divisional win came close to fulfilling a lifetime goal to win one of Australia’s major ocean racing events. He and the crew came close, just missing the overall race win to Pendragon, a boat in Division D, in what turned out to be very much a small boat race.

‘We are absolutely bloody thrilled with the result,’ Boettcher said – and so he should be, having beaten the grand prix yachts he will come up against at the Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

‘The boat performed magnificently, and the crew was absolutely fantastic – we had a great run up the east coast of Australia,’ the Adelaide businessman said.

Boettcher’s crew comprised some regulars from Adelaide, but added to the equation was former America’s Cup sailor, Steve Kemp, also from Adelaide, who was joined by Sydney sailors of some note, Carl Crafoord and Mike Green.

‘Conditions were perfect for us; we couldn’t have asked for better. I am so proud of the boys and what we were able to accomplish.

‘Before the race, we set our sights on a top five finish, but I’ve competed in enough races to know that Lady Luck can play a significant role in where you finish.

‘We also wanted to perform well to back up our strong showing in last year’s Sydney Hobart, as well as to start preparing for this year’s race.’

This year’s race attracted 74 entries from across Australia, including some of Australia’s leading yachts and sailors.

Previous race winners include such well-known yachts as Brindabella, Ragamuffin, AAPT and Wild Oats.