Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 - Jim Cooney adds LDV Comanche to his fleet
by RSHYR Media 15 Dec 2017 15:14 AEDT
26 December 2017
Comanche - the jaw dropping moment she unleashed © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo
The 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart line honours victor, LDV Comanche, was yesterday purchased by Sydney's Jim Cooney from its American owner Jim Clark, meaning there will be a gathering of four Australian owned super maxis on the start line of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's classic when it starts on Boxing Day.
Rationalising his latest purchase, the new owner of the perennial Brindabella and the more modern V70, Maserati, said this morning: "Without a doubt it's the most modern and fastest super maxi in the world. It's a beautiful boat which has been sitting in Australia, ready to race – it was too difficult to resist." Asked how it came about, Cooney said Neville Crichton was the conduit. "Neville and I are friends and Neville and Jim (Clark, whom he purchased the boat dubbed the 'aircraft carrier' from) are friends. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity - too good to pass up.
Cooney concurs the race at the pointy end of the fleet will be an exciting one: "Four supers on the line –all have taken line honours in the race before - and all with a chance – you don't see that anywhere else in the world. It will be the most exciting match-up we've ever seen."
Family and sailing with family remains important to Cooney: "Another reason to buy LDV Comanche - my children Julia (21 years) and James (19) will be aboard – the timing seemed just right, as there was also already a world-class crew on board," said Cooney who started ocean racing 30 years ago. Some of those crew include James 'Jimmy' Spithill, Dirk De Ridder, Nick Burridge, Warwick Fleury, Justin Slattery and Australian 'Mr Fixit' Casey Smith.
Cooney is quick to dismiss rumours he may not be aboard for the race and that Neville Crichton is in the box seat to replace him. "Not true. I had knee surgery a month and a half ago, it's all going well and I expect it to be 100 percent fine in good time. I think people grabbed onto a throwaway line I made to Neville, telling him not to take off the lifejacket just yet."
Has Cooney sailed his latest addition to the fleet yet? "No, we've been preparing it, but I've been aboard and it feels good. We'll be sailing most of the next week. Some of the crew are already here and the other third fly in on the weekend," he said. "This year competition is fierce, with the strongest line up of super maxis ever seen in one race. Depending on conditions, any of the 100 footers could take line honours, it threatens be one of the best races in the history of the event," Cooney stated today.
The Sydney yachtsman is a chartered engineer who made his name in the communications industry before diversifying in the pioneering days of wind farms in the northern hemisphere. He has been a keen ocean racer for 30 years and owns an impressive personal fleet including the 2001 Sydney Hobart winner Bumblebee V, record breaking Volvo 70 Maserati, and everyone's favourite maxi, Brindabella. "Brindabella is my favourite boat and we are currently doing work to keep her in good shape, while we continue to race Maserati on Sydney Harbour," he said.
Launched as Comanche, but named LDV Comanche for the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the 100 footer owns a remarkable list of records, including the 24 hour sailing distance record for monohulls and the trans-Atlantic crossing record of 5 days, 14 hours, 21 minutes and 25 seconds. In addition to taking line honours in the 2015 Sydney Hobart, she won the tough Fastnet Race in the UK and this year smashed the monohull record in the Transpac race with an average speed of 20.2 knots.
The Boxing Day start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will be broadcast live on the Seven Network throughout Australia.
Full list of entries and all information: rolexsydneyhobart.com