Hardy's Secret Men's Business' unfinished business

by Sean Whittington on 26 Dec 2006 Major 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race contender (IRC Handicap) Hardys Secret Mens Business has some 'unfinished business' it plans to complete in this year’s race.

Sailing off the coast of Tasmania in last year’s race with Handicap honours well and truly in sight, Mother Nature dealt South Australia’s leading racing yacht a cruel blow when it found itself in a weather trough with no wind.

'That virtually ended any chance we had of winning the race on Handicap,' Hardys Secret Mens Business skipper/owner Geoff Boettcher said.

'Mother Nature can play a big role in this race, like she did last year when we were leading the race off the Hobart coast, and then lost two hours when the wind completely dropped out in our location,' he said.

'We feel we have some unfinished business this year. Who knows what would have been if we had not fallen in that hole – but that’s sailing?

'We’re confident we can improve on last year’s performance if things go our way on the water.

'The boat is performing beautifully – modifications we have made have increased her speed and have also improved our IRC rating, and the crew has worked extremely hard throughout the year.'

'All we need is a few things to go our way this year.'

A S2H veteran who will this year compete in his 19th race, Boettcher has assembled the most experienced crew in almost 20 years of racing in Australia’s 'Holy Grail' of ocean racing, as he attempts to claim victory (IRC Handicap).

Five of Australia’s top crewmen have joined eight others from South Australia. They are:

Nick Partridge, from Victoria, current crewman on America’s Cup yacht BMW Oracle.

Legendary helmsman Julian Freeman, from Tasmania, who was part of Yendys S2H winning crew in 1999.

Australian Match Racing Champion and member of the 2005 Farr 40 world title team, Michael Dunstan, from New South Wales.


Victorian Simon Cunnington, who was a member of the victorious 1996 S2H Ausmaid crew, a 1995 America’s Cup team member, and a Whitbread Round the World yachtsman in 1993/94, and;

Navigator Adam Hawkins, also from Victoria, a crew member of 2003 S2H race winner, Skandia.

'These ‘interstate recruits’ are among the best in Australian off-shore sailing,' Boettcher said.

'Their presence will help us improve our helming ability in heavy conditions, as it will allow us to rotate our helmsman every hour,' he said.

'This race is one of the most demanding ocean-racing events in the world. A solid balance of crew is crucial to ensure that the yacht is being raced at her maximum regardless of who is on deck and who isn’t.

'We’ve done all we can to prepare ourselves and the boat for our best chance yet of a Top Three position on IRC handicap – we just want to get out there now and race.'

Hardys Secret Mens Business – South Australia’s only entry in this year’s race, which this year has attracted 79 entrants from around the world - has enjoyed Top Ten success (IRC handicap) in the past two Sydney Hobart races.

As well as a more experienced crew, Boettcher has undertaken significant modifications to the yacht, including adding 455kg to the keel bulb.

'I’m not a superstitious person, but we’re hoping its third time lucky for us this year following our Top Ten finishes in the past two races,' Boettcher said.