11:00 PM Mon 14 Dec 2009 GMT
ICAP Leopard, the 100ft super-maxi racing yacht owned by Helical Bar PLC chief executive Mike Slade, is about to land in Australia to begin preparations for the fearsome Rolex Sydney-Hobart race.
Having already taken line-honours in the Rolex Fastnet and Middle Sea races earlier this year, the heavyweight British challenger is set to take on the best the southern hemisphere has to offer in a bid to win the most prestigious treble in offshore yacht racing.
This annual pilgrimage to Hobart, on the island of Tasmania, will see a fleet of over 100 yachts venture out from Sydney Heads on Boxing Day, to take on the sprint southwards across the fearsome Bass Strait. This stretch of water has a formidable reputation that is richly deserved; in 1998 six sailors lost their lives when a fierce storm ripped through the fleet as it battled its way to the Tasmanian finish line.
Whilst ICAP Leopard will be hoping for more moderate conditions than those of the '98 race, Slade and his crew will still be eyeing the forecasts and praying for a stiff breeze. Light-airs optimisation has already allowed the super-maxi to claim victories in the Rolex Fastnet and Middle Sea races, but the final leg of this particular treble will be a different proposition altogether.
On the 26 December Mike Slade and crew will join the elite of southern hemisphere yacht racing on the Sydney Harbour start line. Ranged against ICAP Leopard will be the relatively lightweight Antipodean sisterships Alfa Romeo, from New Zealand, and local favourite Wild Oats XI. 'Oats is hunting an unprecedented fifth victory in a row and, should the wind stay light, the Brits will have their work cut out to end her streak.
Owner and Skipper, Mike Slade, commented: 'We are all looking forward to having a second crack of the whip at the Sydney Hobart. The race is one of the most famous in the world, the treble is on and we are up against the best the south has to offer. All I want for Christmas now is a decent breeze and a lightning-quick run to Hobart!'
ICAP Leopard's crew will consist of the same team of ocean racing experts that have formed such a successful unit so far this year. Volvo Ocean Race stars Justin Slattery, Rob Greenhalgh, the Salter brothers and Brad Jackson will once again be teamed with the America's Cup luminary Ray Davies as Slade aims to lead the charge towards Tasmania. Preparations are underway and, given the right conditions, ICAP Leopard certainly has the horsepower to win this most prestigious of trebles.
Leopard follows in the footsteps of super-maxi yachts Ocean Leopard (1988-1999) and Leopard of London (2000-2006). Like her predecessors she is aimed towards top-level race sponsorship, day charters in the Solent and, longer term, charters in the warmer waters of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Farr Yacht Design provided Leopard's basic naval architecture and construction engineering, whilst styling and interior was designed by Ken Freivokh. The boat was built by McConaghy Boats in Sydney, Australia, with Chris Sherlock acting as owner's representative.
For more information regarding Leopard, please visit:
www.leopard3.com
by Henry Foster
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BEAUMARIS, VIC
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