Palm Beach Motor Yachts partner with CYCA
by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 27 Feb 18:54 PST
Hardy Cup © CYCA / Fynn Sprott
Legendary Rolex Sydney Hobart skipper Mark Richards and the company he founded on Sydney's Northern Beaches in 1995, Palm Beach Motor Yachts, have joined forces with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) to help power the next generation of offshore sailors.
Palm Beach Motor Yachts, who recently acquired the newly reborn 100ft maxi Palm Beach XI, have become the latest Partner of the CYCA's world renowned Youth Sailing Academy (YSA), signing on for the next three years.
The partnership will see Palm Beach Motor Yachts sponsor one of the CYCA's Elliott 7's, while Richards will provide guidance and sailing opportunities for the YSA's up and coming sailors, including training on Palm Beach XI.
The announcement comes just days after Palm Beach XI successfully validated her radical new C-foil configuration, foiling up Sydney Harbour at almost 30 knots.
A nine-time Sydney Hobart Line Honours winner, Richards has long been at the forefront of yachting innovation, as a skipper and owner of competitive racing yachts, alongside his role as founder and CEO of one of the world's leading motor yacht brands.
CYCA Commodore Dr Sam Haynes welcomed the partnership and the involvement of Richards.
"Mark Richards is one of sailing's most iconic figures and to have him partner with the CYCA and our Youth Sailing Academy is an incredible opportunity and one that will no doubt leave a legacy on the next generation of young offshore sailors," Dr Haynes said.
"Mark's record as a sailor and skipper speaks for itself, but his commitment to innovation with Palm Beach Motor Yachts is something everyone in the industry can learn from and we are grateful to have his experience and knowledge behind the YSA."
Richards said partnering with the CYCA and their Youth Sailing Academy was a way to give back to the sport.
"Partnering with the CYCA and their Youth Sailing Academy means a lot to myself and Palm Beach Motor Yachts," Richards said.
"The CYCA has been such an amazing support for both my sailing and business career, in fact, the whole industry.
"I feel very honoured to be able to give back to the club through supporting their Youth Sailing Academy, and I very much look forward to having these talented academy students aboard Palm Beach XI between the Blue Water Pointscore and lead up to the 2026 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race."