Maritimo

Originally launched as Swiftsure II, this Schumaker 54 was dominant under various measurement systems in San Francisco, winning the Rolex Big Boat Series an unprecedented eight times.  Bill Barry-Cotter, a leader in the Australian boat building industry, purchased the boat last year.  He had the intention of competing in the Tahiti Transpac, but the race was canned due to Covid, so the boat was shipped to Australia where it underwent a refit and upgrade at Barry-Cotter’s Maritimo’s Gold Coast facility in readiness for the Hobart.  The boat program supports youths and this year, Cooper Ellis will have the benefit of sailing with some ocean racing greats.

For the 75^th Sydney Hobart, Barry-Cotter entered Katwinchar, the oldest boat to ever do the race.  He was unable to go, but his brother Kendal was aboard as skipper, along with notables Michael Spies, Scott Kaufman and Robert Case.  They placed 62^nd overall for second in Division 7, won the Grand Veterans division and finished third in the Veterans division.  Maritimo took line honours in the 2021 Brisbane to Gladstone race, won the Queensland Yachting Championship and in mid-November won the 220nm South East Qld Ocean Racing Qualifier.  Has to be considered as an overall chance.  Kaufman, a renowned Australian boat designer and sailor, is here from New York again to join the crew.

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