Wild Rose

Wild Rose was commissioned in 1983 as Wild Oats by Bob Oatley for the 1987 Admirals Cup and has been owned for some years now by one of Australia's most experienced offshore yachtsmen, Roger Hickman. In partnership with Bruce Foye and Lance Peckman, Hickman sailed the still named Wild Oats to win the 1993 Hobart race overall under IOR (there was also an IMS overall winner,Cuckoos Nest), the last time the IOR rule was used for the race. Since Hickman took singular ownership, the 27 year-old Farr 43 boat has been known as Wild Rose. 'Hicko' won the 2011 Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Race overall and the Gosford Lord Howe Island race.

Right up till the last,Wild Rose looked likely to win the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart, but the breeze died and changed in a cruel twist of fate. However, you can't sneeze at a seventh overall, a Division 4 win and victory in ORCi Division 3. Each year, Hicko trains up a balance crew of male and female sailors, many of whom become regulars. They are looking forward to a challenging 2012 Blue Water Point Score Series, which comes to a climax with the great race to Hobart as Hickman aims to win the race for a second time.

Competitor Details