Determined Percy ready for Sydney Hobart race

by Sarah Cann on 8 Dec 2007 Matthew Percy is determined to out-sail all for a win in the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race this Boxing Day onboard Alacrity, his Beneteau 44.7.

Although the weather is predicted to be windy for the prestigious yacht race this year, which works in every competitors favour, Percy is confident that if they can repeat their successes from last year, they will be at the top of the podium.

'We just need to get there, win our division and a win overall will be determined by the weather…seventy-five hours racing time would get us close to a win overall,' Matthew Percy said.

Percy and his crew of twelve are sailing in the biggest division of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Division C, for yachts 38 foot to 45 foot.

Competition is going to be tough in Division C as yacht owners’ sail with their crews, fighting tooth and nail, for victory in Hobart.

Yacht owners in Percy’s division are often the skipper, sailing their yachts worth more than $500,000 and spending on average $100,000 in preparations for competition.

'A lot of people helped in our preparation…Southport Yacht Club’s team in the boat service facility have been brilliant…Monday Alacrity was lifted and Thursday morning we were back in the water after having the hull sanded, repainted and polished,' he said.

Percy is not a user of regular antifoul for his Beneteau 44.7.

To keep the two part teflon-copper racing hull in top condition Percy dives weekly to keep the growth at bay.

'The two part teflon-copper coating is slightly more environmentally friendly than standard antifouling. When these chemicals are combined they create an excellent slippery hull, good for racing,' he said.

The Alacrity crew have competed individually and collectively in many 300 nautical mile races with additional training since October, three nights a week and on their weekends in preparation.

In addition to his crew of twelve, six of which are Southport Yacht Club sailors, Percy will have onboard 200 litres of fresh water and 150 litres of fuel onboard.

'During the race we can only use the petrol to charge the batteries which will be when we’re cooking at 6am and 6pm,' he said.

Matthew Percy and his crew onboard Alacrity won third place in Division C in the 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.