Veloce

A new yacht for Matt Hayes, and the only new boat in the fleet. Veloce was built and designed in Italy, hence the name. Hayes first Hobart was at 18 on Sir James Hardy’s Police Car and he has raced on Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin.

He represented Australia in the Soling at the 1996 Olympics, campaigning again for the 2000 Games. Hayes also represented Australia at the Admiral’s and Kenwood Cups and circumnavigated the world from 2018 to 2020. He established his first sailing school at 19 and founded Sydney by Sail in 1995.

Hayes’ crew will include a mix of older experienced and young sailors, including 30-year-old son Josh and 2000 Olympic 470 gold medallist for Australia, Jenny Armstrong. Hayes, now 61, reckons there are too many older people in yachting and he is trying to get more young people involved.

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