ICAP Leopard heads for Rio

Mike Slade's supermaxi to compete in Heineken Cape to Bahia Race

On 10 January 2009, Mike Slade's supermaxi ICAP Leopard will compete in the Heineken Cape to Bahia Race (formerly the ‘Cape to Rio’). This will be the first race for ICAP Leopard, following modifications to improve speed predictions by 7.5% [read more about this here], and she will be looking to set an impressive record on the new race route.

Owner Mike Slade commented: “ ICAP Leopard has been a wonderful performer since her launch in June 2007. She has achieved a total of four world speed sailing records, five course records, undertaken 100+ corporate charters in Australia, the US and the UK and has sailed over 15,000 nautical miles! We are really looking forward to kicking off the 2009 season with a good performance in this tough offshore challenge.”

I CAP Leopard will compete in this traditionally downwind race with a world class crew that includes Whitbread and Volvo Round the World Race sailors Gordon Maguire (IRE), Jason Carrington (GBR) & Paul Standbridge (GBR), as well as members of America’s Cup syndicate Team Shosholoza, David Rae (RSA) and Joey Heywood (RSA). ICAP Leopard will be the largest boat in the fleet, however she will face stiff competition from the 90ft American maxi Rambler. Having crossed paths in last year's Rolex Fastnet Race, in which ICAP Leopard took line honours but conceded to Rambler on handicap, the race between these two boats is sure to be tight.

At the end of the British summer season, ICAP Leopard underwent a 10 week refit programme at Hamble Yacht Services in Southampton led by Captain Chris Sherlock with help from refit manager Paul Quinn. After recent changes to the supermaxi class regulations, it was decided that it would be the perfect time to optimise the yacht, utilising what has been learnt over the last 14 months. Alongside modifications, such as a switch to twin rudders, the team has had the opportunity to dismantle the whole yacht, piece by piece, in order to service every hydraulic, electrical and deck component and add a scoop to the stern, increasing waterline length to 100ft precisely.

Following on from the Heineken Cape to Bahia Race, ICAP Leopard will compete in the RORC Caribbean 600 and Antigua Sailing Week, before heading to North America for a number of corporate events. She will then return to the UK for the summer racing season and her corporate charter commitments.