Skandia maxi to race two handed

Interesting line up for this year's two handed Trans Tasman race

Interest is building in the SSAA’s biennial Trans Tasman race from Sydney to Auckland which starts on 1 May, with some entries coming from unexpected quarters! A high quality fleet looks set to make this the most hotly contested race to date with some exciting and entrants having submitted entries and serious expressions of interest. Some of these entrants may well redefine the 'art of the possible' in racing their boats across the ditch this year.

AAPT (Sydney) – Sean Langman and Joe de Kock plan to race the Andy Dovell designed 66 foot ocean flyer formerly known as Grundig. This high profile boat is actually looking to return to its short handed roots (it was originally launched as an Open 60) and add a Trans Tasman win to its long record of offshore successes. There’s not much Sean hasn’t achieved with this giant-killing boat and no-one would under-estimate this team’s chances.

Skandia (Melbourne) - Grant Wharington’s Skandia-Wild Thing Project has submitted an entry to the race for their radical Don Jones designed 98 foot Sydney-Hobart winning maxi. In its short competitive life Skandia hasn’t often been beaten, and with powered winches and ballast systems this innovative machine could re-define the two-handed boat. We understand the game plan is to restrict the sail wardrobe to what can fit on a furler! Grant plans to race with Graham Taylor.

Martingale (Sydney) - David Dicker and Dara Johnstone plan to enter another Murray, Burns & Dovell design. This 83 footer is actually Grant Wharington’s previous Wild Thing and is undergoing heavy modifications specified by David Lyons and Don Buckley specifically designed for short handed racing, previously it sailed with a crew of 22!.

Spirit of Downunder (Adelaide) - Vince Lamond and Ian Schmidt from Adelaide on Spirit of Downunder are planning to go again after a close second in 2002. This well travelled boat is a radical 40 foot design from the board of noted model yacht designer Gary Cameron and has a record of frightening much larger boats.

Funnelweb (Newcastle) - Following a baptism of fire in the 2003 Melbourne-Osaka race, Ivan MacFadyen is having his Robert Hick designed 50 foot shorthander refitted in Newcastle. He and Peter McCorquodale are looking to team up for a serious handicap challenge in this year’s race.

Spirit Silver Edition (Tasmaina) - Ken Gourlay’s newly launched MBD designed Pittwater 12 called is a 42 foot pilothouse boat based on a Sydney 38 hull. Ken has just completed his qualifying voyage and will be racing with his brother Tim.

Force Eleven (Tasmania) - Ken Gourlay’s son Tristan has thrown down the gauntlet and will enter his Adams 11.9 metre, with a new keel and rudder by MBD in a unique family contest!

A handful more Sydney and Melbourne based potential entrants are yet to declare so we’re confident this year’s Trans Tasman will be a compelling event.

For more information contact David Eastwood on 0419 240 862