Beau Geste

Beau Geste could put the cat amongst the pigeons. For this race, an interesting partnership has been forged between Hong Kong businessman Karl Kwok and Australian Aaron Rowe who recently found a passion for yacht racing, buying and racing the TP52, RKO. Kwok last raced the Hobart in 2013, when he brought the brand new Botin 80 to the start line and finished fifth on line behind three super maxis and a V70, leaving a fourth super maxi, a V70 and the rest in his wake. With a brand new Farr 49, Beau Geste, Kwok won the 1997 Hobart overall. The crew will be the normal star-studded polished one, including enduring second in command, Gavin Brady. Chef, Donna Hay, joins the crew, who can expect good meals. 

Kwok has done and won most of the big ocean races and yachting regattas around the world, including many in Australia, with various Beau Gestes. Expect big from this boat, winner of September’s Groupama Race around New Caledonia after finishing second on line to Seng Huang Lee’s Scallywag. Beau Geste’s sparring partners will be the super maxis, V70s, Chinese Whisper and Alive. Built by Mick Cookson in New Zealand, the all-carbon yacht has a distinctive black hull and dragon on the mainsail. In between racing this boat, Kwok, a retail giant in Hong Kong, and his crew stay in shape by winning major TP52 events and IRC Championships with his TP52 Beau Geste.

Competitor Details