Perpetual Loyal

The rivalry between Perpetual LOYAL and Wild Oats XI is still going strong with Bell once again, the bridesmaid to the Mark Richards skippered Wild Oats XI in the Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht conducted in July. This was the first time they had met since last year’s Hobart race. Bell will compile some of Australia’s most well known celebrities to join his heavyweight team that includes America’s Cup and VOR sailors all with the aim to generate funds for the LOYAL Foundation, which has raised over $4 million for children’s charities to date. On purchasing the yacht early in 2013, Bell had to literally re-build her after the keel snapped off, causing her capsize in the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race when under charter to an American who named her Rambler. She was originally christened Speedboat and took line honours in her debut outing, the Newport Bermuda Race. More modifications took place this year, including reducing the weight of the keel bulb and some other tweaks designed to increase performance. Bell will be looking closely at the new Comanche along with the other seasoned maxi’s to determine the biggest threat in her quest to claim line honours in this 70th Anniversary race.

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