Zefiro

German born, but living in Cyprus for the last 30 years where his shipping management business is based, Gerhard Ruether is bringing his luxurious Farr 100, Zefiro, to Sydney as part of a world circumnavigation. Originally from Hamburg, Germany, Ruether brings the first ever entry from Cyprus in the history of the Hobart race.

She may wear the look of a beautifully appointed cruiser, but a crew member describes the 100 footer as “A wolf in sheep’s clothing,” as she is capable of making 13 knots upwind and revels in hard conditions. Owner and crew are keeping fingers crossed for a hard southerly. There is so much faith in this boat, that the likes of Kiwi navigator Mike Quilter, a veteran of multiple Whitbread/VOR’s, is joining the crew, as will reigning 49er world champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist, Kiwi Blair Tuke. For the first time ever, two residents of Myanmar (Burma) join the Rolex Sydney Hobart – aboard this vessel.

Ruether had been sailing in European waters with various boats for 30 years, until getting the urge to move to greener pastures. So far, Zefiro has sailed from Cyprus across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, to the USA, Cuba, Panama, Galapagos, across the Pacific via French Polynesia, Samoa and Tonga and down to New Zealand. Then she sailed to Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. After Australia and the Rolex Sydney Hobart, she will sail home via Indonesia. He sails every mile on the boat.

Launched in Cape Town, South Africa, Zefiro’s best recent result was winning the 2013 New Zealand Millennium Cup in February. Previously, Ruether owned a Solaris 76 with which he placed third in the 2007 Transatlantic Rolex Cup.

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