Kayimai (TH)

Mike ‘Zappa’ Bell and  will sail Rob Aldis’ Kayimai two-up in this year’s race with ocean racing novice son Matt, 26, a surf life saving iron man, competing in the likes of the Coolangatta Gold. When not competing, Matt is a physical training instructor who sailed dinghies and skiffs as a kid. Zappa is coming up for his 13^th Hobart. A former rigger, Zappa’s skills will come in handy. “We’ve been training on Pittwater and will continue to do that and race." As to the competition, Zappa cites Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth as one to beat. “You have to look at them because of Clogs’ (co-skipper Jan Scholten) ability and tenacity. Rupert (Henry) with his new rocket ship Eora, too. If we can be in the mix with them, I will be happy.” The Bells finished third two-handed over the line in December’s Cabbage Tree Island Race for sixth overall.

The yacht, owned by Rob Aldis, takes its name, Kayimai, from the Kayimai clan of Aboriginal people who lived around the Manly foreshore. Aldis purchased the Azuree 46 and raced her to Hobart in 2018, placing 30th overall. The same year, they also did the Ponant Sydney Noumea Race and placed seventh for third in their division. He says comfort is built into this slippery design.

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