Hardys Secret Mens Business leaves Adelaide in pursuit of Australian sailing's 'Holy Grail'

• NEWS
• 10 Dec, 2006 12:51:00 PM

Hardys Secret Mens Business leaves Adelaide in pursuit of Australian sailing's 'Holy Grail'

South Australia’s leading racing yacht, Hardys Secret Mens Business, leaves Adelaide early tomorrow, Monday 11 December, for its strongest assault yet on Australian sailing’s 'Holy Grail' – the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

South Australia’s leading racing yacht, Hardys Secret Mens Business, leaves Adelaide early tomorrow, Monday 11 December, for its strongest assault yet on Australian sailing’s 'Holy Grail' – the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

A top ten finisher (IRC handicap) in the past two Rolex Sydney Hobarts, Hardys Secret Mens Business owner/skipper, Adelaide businessman Geoff Boettcher, believes his boat and crew are better prepared this year than ever before.

This year Boettcher has attracted some of Australia’s most experienced sailors to be part of his crew, and with modifications to the yacht,  the veteran of 19 Sydney Hobart races is confident of a top three position on IRC handicap.

“I’m not a superstitious person, but we’re hoping it’s third time lucky for us this year following our top ten finishes in the past two races,” Boettcher said.

“We’re confident we can improve on last year’s performance, and if things go our way on the water, there’s no reason we can’t finish in the top three on IRC handicap.

“The boat is performing beautifully – the modifications we have made have increased her speed and have also improved our IRC rating.

“The crew has worked extremely hard throughout the year – this year’s race is the best opportunity we will have to win the Rolex Sydney Hobart (on IRC handicap).

“All we need is a little luck on our side – Mother Nature can play a big role in this race, like she did last year when we were leading the race off the Hobart coast and then lost two hours when the wind completely dropped out in our location.

“That virtually ended any chance we had of winning the race on Handicap – so we’re hoping for a change of luck this year.”

Hardys Secret Mens Business is South Australia’s only entrant in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, which begins on Boxing Day, 26 December 2006.

As usual, the large maxi yachts, including last year’s winner Wild Oats XI, are expected to vie for line honours along with two Volvo 70s which are competing for the first time in the race’s history.

Hardys Secret Mens Business ventures into this year’s race in excellent race form, following a successful year of racing.  In August, it finished second in the week-long Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Regatta, regarded as one of the major regattas in the lead up to the Rolex Sydney Hobart.

The yacht also had a clean sweep of the recent five-race Premier’s Cup off Adelaide. - Sean Whittington