Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Super maxi yacht’s debut in Canon Big Boat Challenge

by Peter Campbell on 10 Dec 2002
Leopard of London Daryl Krasu
Sydney Harbour will be the spectacular venue for the much-awaited clash between at least five line honours contenders in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race when the Canon Big Boat Challenge takes place this Friday, December 13.

The latest entry from the 97-foot UK-based maxi Leopard (Mike Slade) has set tongues wagging as the local favourite, Neville Crichton’s super maxi Alfa Romeo is yet to meet its bigger international rival on the water.

Leopard arrived in Sydney by ship from New Zealand last month and has been reassembled in time for the Canon Big Boat Challenge maxi showdown and for the start of the British Trophy Series, a pre-Rolex Sydney Hobart Race regatta, next week.

Prior to the start of the Canon Big Boat Challenge, Leopard will be renamed ‘Canon’ for its Rolex Sydney Hobart Race debut.

Special guests on board ‘Canon’ this Friday will be a child from Canon’s national charity, the “Make a Wish Foundation”, who will join the regular crew for the race which starts off Point Piper at 12.30pm and takes the fleet twice around Sydney Harbour to finish at the Opera House.

Other Canon Big Boat Challenge ‘glamour’ entries and Sydney Hobart Race line honours contenders include Ludde Ingvall’s Nicorette, Grant Wharington’s Melbourne maxi Australian Skandia Wild Thing and George Snow’s champion Brindabella, a five-time line honours winner in the annual 14-mile big boat race.

Fittingly, George Snow, who grew up in Canberra, has agreed to present a sizeable cheque to the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Aero Medical and Rescue Helicopter Service on behalf of the CYCA’s Safety of Life at Sea Trust, just prior to the Canon Big Boat Challenge prize giving on Friday after the race.

Lang Walker’s 138-foot super yacht Kokomo is the biggest entry in the 16-strong fleet and should provide a spectacular sight for onlookers as she manoeuvres around the harbour marks and the expected flotilla of spectator craft.

A number of 60-footers will also compete including two Volvo 60s, Ian Treleaven’s Merit Navigator and Magnavox (Hodder, Sorensen, Zemanek, Gray) and two Sydney 60s, formulaonesailing.com (Rob Robertson) and Sydney (Charles Curran).

For the first time, two handicap divisions have been offered to skippers with the PHS Division attracting strong interest.

UBS Wild Thing, the smallest boat in the fleet at 50-feet, David Pescud’s Lyons 52 Aspect Computing, Australian Skandia Wild Thing and Sean Langman’s Grundig have all elected to race under PHS handicap.
Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTERRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Related Articles

2026 Junior Worlds set for Medemblik, Netherlands
A famous and beautiful sailing venue with a deep-rooted legacy in Olympic-class racing The International 49er and Nacra 17 Class Association proudly announces that the 2026 Junior World Championships for the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes will take place in Medemblik, Netherlands, from July 19 to 26th, 2026.
Posted today at 12:21 pm
Dalton claims Alinghi are still recruiting
Emirates Team NZ CEO claims the Swiss America's Cup team Alinghi are still actively recruiting. In the course of a TV interview following the announcement of the venue for the 38th America's Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO claimed that the Swiss America's Cup team Alinghi, were still actively recruiting, despite being in an "orderly wind-down".
Posted today at 11:14 am
Introducing the Calibrator from SailingPerformance
Onboard electronics from Sailling Performance Have you ever sailed on a boat where the wind numbers coming from the onboard electronics were constantly wrong, where every time you tacked, the wind seemed to back by 15 degrees?
Posted today at 11:00 am
May 2025 edition of FINNFARE published
In a new look magazine, the focus is on original feature length content In a new look magazine, the focus is on original feature length content, illustrated with the usual extensive photos.
Posted today at 6:12 am
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Two
Three time Jane Tate Memorial Trophy winner, Annika Thomson, talks racing and rubbish... Episode Two of Bukwarks and Bulldust featuring Annika Thomson from Ocean Crusaders is now up and running. The three time Jane Tate Memorial Trophy winner talks about her favourite subjects - racing and rubbish...
Posted on 16 May
Victorian Sailing Centre opens at Geelong
This centerpiece of the revitalised waterfront will host local, national, international races Geelong has established itself as Victoria's premier sailing destination and training ground for the next generation of sailors with the official opening of the Victorian Sailing Centre thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Posted on 16 May
TP52 Pallas Capital Gold Cup Finale preview
Local heroes put hat in the ring The Act 4 Finale of the 2025 Pallas Capital Gold cup will be sailed on Pittwater from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club this weekend, including an addition to the fleet with a local team, led by Rear Commodore Peter Farrugia, putting their hat in the ring.
Posted on 16 May
WMRT adds first ever Ireland stage
Dublin Match Cup joins the 2025 tour season as a tier 2 world tour event The World Match Racing Tour is pleased to announce the addition of its first ever tour stage in Ireland with the launch of the Dublin Match Cup.
Posted on 16 May
Dragon Worlds at Vilamoura day 5
'Provezza Dragon' has already secured the title Day 5 of the Dragon World Championship by Tivoli Hotels & Resorts brought light winds and only one race, but it was enough to make history: Provezza Dragon, led by Andy Beadsworth, has secured the 2025 Dragon World Champion title, ahead of the final da
Posted on 16 May
44Cup Porto Cervo day 2
Team Nika edges ahead after lumpy day For day two of the 44Cup Porto Cervo, organised between the RC44 class and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Sardinia served up very different conditions to Thursday.
Posted on 16 May