The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is revered as one of the toughest ocean races on the international yachting calendar. The aura that surrounds the race is second to none. The attraction this year is no different with a contingent of overseas boats and crews lured by the magic of this iconic yacht race.
Three Aussie boats in particular will lead the charge to Hobart. All built by McConaghy Boats, world renowned yacht builders that are 100% Australian owned which lead the way in hi-tech race and luxury yacht construction.
Yacht Wild Oats X1 is the favorite to take out this year’s Line Honors after a very impressive performance in the recently staged Big Boat Challenge. Signs were ominous before the start as the sleek metallic grey hull cruised around the starting line stalking its prey like a grey nurse shark.
They went on to a very decisive win leading around every mark of the 14mile course.
Wild Oats X1 owned by Wine maker Bob Oatley and skippered by Mark Richards currently hold the race record of 1 day 18 hours and 40 minutes which was set in 2005. Last year they were striving for the their 5th consecutive Line honors victory, but were out sailed by a very well sailed and professional outfit in Alfa Romeo. (another McConaghy built boat)
Mark was adamant in saying, ” We have learnt from last year that preparation is not an option it is a given. We have put a lot of effort into this year’s race and all going well we hope to be on the podium once again.
We have some very worthy opponents in Investec Loyal, Wild Thing and Lahana, all capable boats so we will have to be on our game”.
No stone has been unturned in preparation for this year’s race. They have a star-studded crew that have trained and sailed a lot more races than last year leading into the race.
If the weather is favorable for the maxis, they hope to emulate their 2005 performance winning Line Honors, Overall Handicap and the Race Record.
The Stephen Ainsworth owned “Loki” is the second boat from the McConaghy stable. Loki has dominated the Australian offshore racing scene over the last two seasons and goes into this race as a hot favorite for Handicap honors.
Loki is one of two Reichel Pugh 62 ‘s in the race and they will see plenty of competition from its sister ship, Alan Brietry’s Limit. They have a number of very experienced Americas Cup sailors aboard, including Chris Dickson and Gavin Brady who will push their boat hard all the way to Hobart.
Loki will be helmed once again by round the world race veteran Gordon Maguire, who leads a well-drilled and talented team. They have their eyes set on the trophy. But as Gordon commented…”
“The Hobart yacht race is renowned for throwing up unpredictable and challenging conditions for the fleet and really the weather ultimately determines the outcome of this race. We have a great boat that has been superbly designed by Reichel Pugh and built by McConaghy. The competition this year, not only around our size is as hot as it gets.
Any one of 20 or so boats can win this race.
All I know is we need to get off the line well, stay clean, no infringements or incidents in getting out of the harbor and most importantly get the boat and crew to Hobart in good shape, if that all happens, we certainly have a good chance.”
The third McConaghy built boat in this year’s race is Bill Wild’s, Rodd and Gunn Wedgetail, formerly known as Yendys. The Reichel Pugh 55’ has been a top performer since being launched in 2006.
Recently purchased, the boat has undergone upgrading, including new sails and optimisation for rating purposes. They have assembled an extremely experienced crew including Will Oxley, (Ocean Navigator of the Year 2010), completing 200,000 nautical racing miles including 3 round the world yacht races. Also onboard, is Andrew Crow who will compete in his 15th Hobart race and was just named 2010 Ocean Crewman of the Year.
All in all this is setting up to be another classic Hobart Race with McConaghy Boats leading the charge again. May the best team win, and safe sailing to all competitors.
McCONAGHY HISTORY
For more than 40 years McConaghy has been at the cutting edge of race yacht construction, leading the way in the research and application of new materials and technologies to build some of the strongest, lightest – and most successful – racing yachts ever launched. But that is only part of the McConaghy success story. With manufacturing bases in Australia and China, McConaghy now deploys its wealth of talent and its mastery of laminated construction techniques across a number of different divisions, extending the strong commercial platform that has allowed it to defy industry trends and continue to thrive even in the toughest economic conditions.
Owned and managed by international yachtsman and architect Jon (Jono) Morris and master boat builder Mark Evans, their astute business management has been responsible for the most exciting and successful period in the company’s long history. Since they took over in 2000 the business has more than tripled in size as they have diversified, both in and beyond the marine industry.
During the same period the McConaghy reputation for building the world’s most technologically advanced yachts has been consolidated, with a steady stream of famous, record-breaking yachts going out through their doors. Backed by an intimate understanding of the demands of high-performance yacht racing and hands-on direction, Morris and Evans have been able to transmit their own passion for boat building embedding a culture of innovation and constant improvement throughout the business, building on the strong legacy left by company founder John McConaghy.
They maintain a keen focus on research and development, which now extends to non-marine applications, and have assembled a team of in-house experts covering all facets of boat building to create a company with unique capabilities. Customer’s benefit from the professional project-management skills applied to every project undertaken. As a result, McConaghy has a deserved reputation among its many repeat clients as the “go-to’’ builder; an organisation with the skill, experience and tenacity to tackle the most complex challenges and a track record of being able to deliver a flawless product on time and on budget, no matter how complex the brief.
By Rob Brown
