DANIELLE McKAY
 
YuuZoo skipper Ludde Ingvall says he will dedicate this year's Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race to the memory of his "mate" Roy Disney.
 
Ingvall said without the assistance of Disney, who lost his battle with cancer on December 16 aged 79; YuuZoo wouldn't be competing in the 628nm blue water classic.
 
The 90ft maxi will carry a special message at the base of the mast saying; Roy, this one's for you.
 
"After we lost our mast in 2006, I received a message from Roy's people saying he had offered us his spare,'' Ingvall said.
 
"It was amazing; I'd never afforded such quality as that which Roy had had made for himself; he was a perfectionist, which is why I feel really good about this.
 
"Without Roy's assistance; his mast that we could afford and that fits perfectly, we wouldn't be going.''
 
Ingvall and Disney's comradery spanned more than two-decades after the men met during the Route of Discovery race from Spain to the Dominican Republic in 1988.
 
The men shared a passion for sailing and an insatiable hunger for success; with Disney boasting 15 Transpac races including holding the race record for seven years and Ingvall who is two-times Sydney-Hobart winner and Fastnet Race champion.
 
"I remember I was really amazed that I was going to meet Roy Disney from Walt Disney and a man who was a great sailor too,'' he said.
 
"It was at the skipper's meeting that he walked up to me, shook my hand and said 'I've been following you, fantastic, good-luck with the around the world race'.
 
"I was thrilled.  I introduced him to my wife (Merl) and then he took us to dinner.
 
"He was the nicest fellow.  Here is this guy, who is a legend and a visionary who owns this beautiful yacht, and he takes me into his hold and introduces me to fellows; I was really impressed.''
 
Since, the men met again at several regattas across the globe and during Ingvall's regular visits to the US.
 
But it was one of Disney's final acts of mateship to Ingvall that reflected the depth of respect and value the men had for their friendship.
 
"After we broke our mast in 2006 I thought well, this is it, I said I didn't want to sail anymore,'' he said.
 
"But in an extraordinary act of kindness Roy offered us his spare.
 
"And it fits perfectly because YuuZoo was originally designed to fit into the same class as Roy's yacht, which he had a part in creating and was set to be the new maxi class.
 
"It's strong. I have a lot of confidence in it.''
 
Ingvall said he was "devastated'' when he received news of Disney's death just hours after his passing.
 
"I really respected the guy and he did huge things for the sport,'' Ingvall said.
 
"It is very sad, that's why this one will be for Roy.
 
"You know there are a lot of demons out there, but we're carrying part of his gear, and it feels like he will be sitting on the deck with us when we're racing and he will be giving us good advice.''