Ragamuffin 100

Since finishing second on line to Wild Oats XI in last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, just weeks after acquiring use of the yacht, Syd Fischer shipped Ragamuffin 100 to the US this year for the 2225 nautical mile Transpac Yacht Race and took line honours in the monohull section. On October 19, Fischer took line honours and broke the Hong Kong Vietnam race record by four minutes with the Dubois 90, Ragamuffin 90. He used the race for crew training and selection.

Originally launched in 1989 as Maximus, the yacht underwent a major rebuild in 2004, and was then lengthened from 98ft to 100ft in 2009 and renamed Investec Loyal. Last year, Fischer raced her as Ragamuffin Loyal and this year she will head south as Ragamuffin 100.

In October, Fischer was honoured with Yachting Australia’s Lifetime Achievement award. Among the Sydney yachtsman’s many achievements are taking Hobart line honours with his German Frers maxi in 1988 and 1990, and winning it overall in 1992 with the former Will, a Farr 50. He has also been victorious in the CYCA’s Blue Water Pointscore Series a record nine times, last winning in 2007/2008. He has finished top three since, until late last year, when he changed his TP52 for the super maxi while sitting in second place. These results culminated in Fischer winning Ocean Racer of the Year on multiple occasions.

Now 86 years old, Fischer this year equals the record for the oldest skipper in the Hobart race, set by John Walker (Impeccable) in 2008. He will sail his 45^th Hobart with old mate Tony ‘Ace’ Ellis alongside him looking down the barrel of his 47^th – which is the current record for most Hobart races sailed and held by Tony Cable.

Competitor Details