Since arriving from the USA in 2007, Cougar II has enjoyed considerable racing success with podium finishes in numerous events and regattas in the Eastern States.  Finishing a close second IRC overall in last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, Cougar ll and her crew would love to go one better this year.  Cougar ll won the Grand Prix division at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2008 and finished third in the Australian IRC championships in the same year.  She also won most of the big boat major races in Victoria including the Club Marine Range series, Lipton Cup Regatta, and Port Phillip Grand Prix Series.  Already highly modified for IRC racing, Cougar II has undergone some recent refinements so the crew should see an improved performance.     

This will be the third Rolex Sydney Hobart for Cougar ll.  In 2007 they were forced to retire from a front running position in the race due to a fractured chain plate.  Alan Whiteley’s former boat, also named Cougar, finished second in the Division D in the 2005 race.  Cougar ll is one of five extremely competitive TP52 grand prix boats entered this year plus several other 50 footers.  If last year is any indication Cougar ll should enjoy close racing for the full 628 nautical miles.

Name Cougar II Race name Cougar II Launch year 2005 Sail number SM 5200 Owner Alan Whiteley Skipper Alan Whiteley (4) Crew S Whiteley (2), A Cole (7), R Leaper (8), J Mackay (2), M Wilson (3), F Forbes (1) R Richardson (10), N. Relf, P Dowdney (3), C Nolan (2), J. Orr, A. Whiteley, B. Kellet. Club Sandrigham Yacht Club State VIC Type TP 52 Designer Farr Builder Cooksons Construction Carbon IRC TCC 1.347 LOA 15.85 Beam 4.41 Draft 3.28