Duende

Damien Parkes says minus 51 Sydney Hobarts veteran, Tony Cable, he has reverted to the rich and famous! This crew reflects his new role training Chinese high performance sailors. Crew includes Vicky Song, the first female Chinese circumnavigator (via 2013 Clipper Race) from the Cheung Kong REN SC and an executive of China’s National Training Centre. Luc Yen represents Shanghai 1 SC, their first member to do the race. The well-known sailing instructor is now aspiring to high performance training. Tina Gong is recognised in China, having competed in their ocean races and now her first Hobart, she also represents Shanghai 1 SC. Returning to Duende for a second successive race is Yun Hsu, a leading Australian wine and travel writer - and the first Taiwanese female to do the Hobart. British doctor Juliet Pealing joins the crew fresh from competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Duende was PHS 12^th overall and third in Division 1 in the 2016 Sydney Hobart and this will be her seventh consecutive race south, while Parkes will notch up his 30th. Duende finished PHS seventh overall and third in Division 1 in the 2015 Hobart, PHS 11^th overall and fourth in Division 1 in 2014, PHS ninth in 2013, 54^th overall in IRC in 2012 and retired in 2011 with engine problems heading into Bass Strait. The JV52 design is the former Tau Ceramics/Lacoste and raced in Europe before Parkes bought and adapted her.

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