Ichi Ban

Past CYCA Commodore Matt Allen is making a strong bid for the Rolex Sydney Hobart’s prized trophy, the Tattersall’s Cup (presented to the overall race winner), with his brand new Carkeek 60. Built in Dubai and arrived in Australia by ship in November, the latest Ichi Ban had little time for pre-race practice.  

Allen says he chose the design because: “There’s been a lot of evolution in the TP52 area and the Carkeek boats, but the Carkeek has moved away in terms of performance. “We’ve designed it to be a fast, powerful yacht with plenty of sail area, but also structurally sound, as I intend to campaign it in major ocean races most of the time and spend about a third of the time competing in regatta-style racing.”

Allen chose 60 feet as the optimum size because of his predominant passion, offshore racing, and the average wave patterns he would expect to encounter on the 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart – the yacht’s first big ocean racing test.

He has assembled a gun crew, including the talented Gordon Maguire, sailing master from Blue Water Point Score and 2011 Hobart winner, Loki, and first class navigator, Will Oxley, Robert Case, Michael Spies and Anthony Merrington.

Allen came tantalisingly close to taking Hobart line honours with his former Volvo Ocean racer, now competing as Southern Excellence II for new owner Andrew Wenham, scoring second on line in 2006 and third in 2007 and 2008. He has come so close winning the race overall, finishing fourth in 2006 and fifth in 2007.

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