Please select your home edition
Edition
Armstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - TOP

Kokomo puts the ‘big’ into the Canon Big Boat Challenge

by Lisa Ratcliff on 5 Dec 2002
Sydney-based property developer and keen sailor Lang Walker has put the ‘big’ into this year’s Canon Big Boat Challenge by entering his 135-foot super yacht Kokomo, the largest entry ever received in the event’s nine-year history.

“Entering a boat of this size in the Canon Big Boat Challenge will provide its own challenge for the crew when it comes to manoeuvrability around the harbour marks of the course, but it should make for spectacular viewing for on-lookers,” said owner Lang Walker.

“We have done big boat regattas in other parts of the world and have an experienced crew on board, including a number of borrowed Farr 40 sailors and talented local yachtsmen such as Roger Hickman, who will make up the 20 crew,” he added.

Kokomo is only two and half years old but has already circumnavigated the globe, won the Palma Big Boat Cup two years in a row, broken the race record in the Guadeloupe to Antigua Yacht Race and placed 2nd in the Millennium Cup in Auckland. With a full-time crew of six aboard, the state-of-the-art super yacht has just arrived in Sydney after cruising the Pacific Ocean for the past 12 months.

The giant 50-metre mast clears the Sydney Harbour Bridge by only two metres and while most of the sail handling is looked after by automatic and hydraulic equipment, the 14,000 square foot spinnaker will require a large crew effort for the spectacular spinnaker race on Friday December 13, 2002.

So far the CYCA has received 11 entries for the pre-Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race maxi showdown including last year’s line honours winner Nicorette (Ludde Ingvall), Melbourne maxi Australian Skandia Wild Thing (Grant Wharington) and the brand new 90-foot super maxi Alfa Romeo (Neville Crichton), which is yet to square off against these two.

In the 60-foot class, the newly renovated round-the-world yacht Broomstick (Michael Cranitch and Ray Wallace), Ian Treleaven’s Volvo 60 Merit, Martin James’ Farr 65 Infinity III and the two Sydney 60s Sydney (Charles Curran) and Eureka II (Bob Robertson) have all entered.

For the first time, the invitation list also included high rating IRC grand prix racers such as the two Farr 52s, Ray Robert’s Hollywood Boulevard and Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban, Syd Fischer’s champion Farr 50 Ragamuffin and Terry Mullens’ Farr 50 Sting.

Invitations were also sent to the five-time line honours winner in this event, George Snow’s Brindabella, Mike Slade’s 97-foot Leopard of London, Sean Langman’s radical 66-foot skiff Grundig, former America’s Cup yacht Spirit and the two Volvo 60s Magnavox (Hodder/Gray/Zemanek/Sorensen) and Kookaburra Challenge’s VO60 currently sailing on Sydney Harbour.

“We are looking at a record fleet of up to 20 of the largest and most spectacular maxi boats and grand prix racers that will be based in Sydney in December as most prepare for the Boxing Day start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race,” said CEO Joe Goddard.

“Canon has once again put its name to this clash of the titans and can expect another hard-fought battle amongst those at the big end of town,” he added.

The multi-million dollar fleet will go head-to-head on Sydney Harbour for the 14 nautical mile Canon Big Boat Challenge, which starts north of Shark Island at 12.30pm on Friday December 13 and takes the fleet twice around the harbour before finishing at the Opera House.

Spectators are encouraged to view the action from the water or the many foreshore vantage points including Bradleys Head, Darling Point, Lady Macquarie’s Chair and the Opera House.


Further information:
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Media Centre

Ph. 02 9327 5867

Lisa Ratcliff 0418 428 511 or
lisaratcliff@bigpond.com
Peter Campbell 0419 385 028 or peter_campbell@bigpond.com
Armstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOMHaven Knox-Johnston CommercialMarine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso FOOTER

Related Articles

PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities.
Posted today at 4:51 am
49er & 49erFX Junior Worlds champions crowned
One final race before the storm kicked in at Øresund The final day of the 2025 Junior World Championship delivered high drama and even higher waves. As wind and rain swept across the Øresund, Race Committees managed to run one final race before safety concerns forced an early end to the competition.
Posted today at 4:43 am
Admiral's Cup: Emotional, Rare, Unforgettable
The 2025 Admirals' Cup set the stage for a bold new era in offshore racing Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era in offshire racing.
Posted on 4 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 2
The breeze never quite showed up but the action didn't stop Day two of the Porto World Championships began with hope—and strategy. With light winds in the forecast, the race committee scheduled an early start in anticipation of a short sea breeze window.
Posted on 4 Aug
Cape 31 Early Bird Claims ORC Europeans Silver
An epic performance at the 43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE in Palma After an intense week of high-level racing at the 43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE – ORC European Championship 2025, the Cape 31 Early Bird secured an outstanding 2nd place overall, just a few points shy of the title in a fiercely competitive 32-boat fleet.
Posted on 4 Aug
Cowes Week 2025 Day 3
Weekend warriors and inspiring figures With the decision to abandon racing for the day taken on Sunday evening, many crews took the opportunity to rest and gear themselves up for the rest of the week.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Aero World & Youth Worlds overall
The fine Brittany weather and afternoon sea breezes have provided excellent racing The stage was set for a dramatic final day showdown in Quiberon Bay, France, to decide the titles for the 7th RS Aero Worlds and 4th Youth Worlds.
Posted on 4 Aug
Noble Marine Solo class Nationals day 1
The forecast is slightly foreboding Saturday was moving day for the Solo fleet, 43 competitors arriving to a sun-drenched North Berwick from three of the four corners of the UK. The forecast is slightly foreboding.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Feva Worlds at Aix-les-Bains, France Overall
Crowning of our 2025 World Champions As our World Championships drew to a thrilling close on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation! Sailors and families were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their journey home.
Posted on 4 Aug
Charlestown Regatta at Porthpean Sailing Club
Sailors doing their thing out in the bay! Charlestown Regatta is a week-long event and is a feature in mid-Cornwall for visitors and locals alike. Porthpean Sailing Club have always used it as an excuse for some extra sailing.
Posted on 4 Aug