Final crew announced for around Australia record attempt

by Mainsheet Media on 1 Feb 2011 Save Our Seas founder Ian Thomson has today announced the final crew for the Fastest Monohull Around Australia Record Attempt.

Save Our Seas is a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the damage plastic bags do to our environment. Founder Ian Thomson launched the campaign by breaking the solo sailing circumnavigation of Australia in May/June 2010 by a massive 26 days.

To further draw attention to the damaging environmental impact of plastic Ian approached Jim Cooney, current owner of the iconic Australian yacht Brindabella, with the idea of breaking the record for the fastest fully crewed monohull around Australia. The record is currently held by David Pescud’s Kaz and stands at 37 days, 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 57 seconds. Ian, Jim, and the crew aim to beat this record by at least 7 days.

Brindabella is an Australian sailing icon. Current Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race record holder for a conventionally ballasted yacht, Brindabella is also a former line honours winner of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and holds the records for the Sydney Gold Coast Race, the Bird Island Race, the Sydney Mooloolaba Race, the Sydney Noumea Race, and the Sydney Wollongong Race. This powerful 79 foot maxi-yacht with graceful lines still draws admiring comments and looks from all who experience her.

Brindabella’s owner, Jim Cooney, bought her last year and has spent time, money and effort to restore her to former glory. 'I grew up with Brindabella and when the opportunity presented itself to own her, I grabbed it immediately.'

Nineteen individuals have been named as the crew for the attempt. With a core group of 9 of Brindabella’s racing crew on board, a further 10 were selected through a rigorous process with applications from around the world. Over 120 applications were received which resulted in a shortlist of 30.

The successful 10 applicants have been named today after the final sail trials on Brindabella over the weekend of 29th/30th January.

They are:
Luke Parkinson (WA), Daniel Taylor (WA), Damien Parnham (NSW), Martin Kirkerterp (Denmark), Nash Stahmer (VIC), Colin Dymond (WA), Kyle Rose (QLD), Tom Connal (NZ), Annie McComb (TAS), Grant Jones (NZ).

The rest of the crew:
Ian Thomson (QLD), Jim Cooney (NSW), Bluey Sutherland (NSW), Matt Pearce (NSW), Sophie Cistek (VIC), Charles Kosecki (QLD), Wendy Tuck (NSW), David Ward (WA), Craig Greenhill (NSW).

Shore crew:
Sailing coach - Adam Brown (NSW), media and sponsorship - Andrew Hawkins (NSW).

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