GETTING STARTED! Four superboats compete at the Sydney Hobart

Ready, set. The 72nd edition of the legendary Rolex Sydney Hobart (630 miles from Sydney, Australia to Hobart, Tasmania) has started, with 89 boats lined up on the starting line. The regatta record to beat was set in 2012 by Wild Oats XI: one day, 18 hours 23 minutes and 12 seconds. Italy will be represented by Marco Carpiniello, aboard Matador, a Swedish-flagged Elliot 44, and Francesco Mongelli, from Rome, 42, who will be aboard the Vor 70 Giacomo owned by New Zealand shipowner Jim Delgat. But the Sydney Hobart (which inexplicably remains closed to catamarans: why on earth, we ask) also means challenging top technology. In addition to the aforementioned Giacomo, and Maserati, Soldini’s former Vor 70 sold to Jim Cooney, here are the most important “bolides” that will compete and fight to the very end for the real time victory.

CQS (Owner Ludde Ingvall)
The big news at this Sydney Hobart is called CQS, the boat of two-time Sydney Hobart winner Ludde Ingvall: that’s the new name of the former 90-foot Nicorette, which won line honors at the Australian classic in 2004 . But how do you turn a boat into a superboat? Primarily the endowment of DSS(acronym for Dynamic Stability System), so as to “bridge the gap” with Wild Oats type boats: the system consists of two retractable “wings” placed in the center of the hull. Depending on the walls, one of these wings is opened downwind to provide greater resistance to heeling.

Then add a canting keel system, a forward canard in front of the mast (Cookson 50 style), two side “wings” so that the base of the rigging is widened. The hull has been lengthened in front of the mast so that the mast is more propped up(we are at 46% hull length starting from the stern), a solution that further increases the area of the headsails. Not to mention a maxi bowsprit integrated into the 4-meter hull-just think of the asymmetrical designs you’ll see up there! These are just some of the solutions devised by New Zealand naval architect Brett Bakewell-White.

SCALLYWAG (owner Seng Huang Lee)
It is none other than the former Ragamuffin 100, one of the boats inextricably linked to the history of Australian sailing. It is in fact the series of boats owned by Sydney Fisher, the veteran of the Sydney Hobart veterans, with over 45 participations on his back. The hull designed by Andrew Dovell was conceived in order to be as “all-round” a boat as possible, that is, able to perform at its best in a wide variety of weather conditions. The result is a hull with streamlined lines but reduced wetted surface area, a significant beam and a wheelhouse moved as far forward as possible to concentrate weight as much as possible in the central part of the boat.

WILD OATS XI (Oatley family owners)
Wild Oats XI, Australian wine magnate Bob Oatley’s Reichel Pugh 100, has already won seven Sydney Hobarts. It has a secret weapon: it is equipped with DSS (short for Dynamic Stability System), a system of two retractable “wings” placed in the center of the hull. Depending on the walls, one of these wings is opened downwind to provide greater resistance to heeling. The carbon fiber wing, which was made in New Zealand, is 55 centimeters wide, and when in use extends 2.75 meters out from the hull on the leeward side. The wing-shaped wing, when at rest slips inside the hull, housed in a horizontal box that extends through the boat near the waterline, between the mast and keel . The wing opens and closes controlled by hydraulic motors.

PERPETUAL LOYAL (owner Anthony Bell)
It is none other than the former Rambler 100 designed in 2008 by Juan Koyoumdjian, purchased by New Zealander Anthony Bell. It is a kind of “100-foot enlargement” of a VOR 70. It has a narrow hull, slightly heavier and has less sail area than boats of the caliber of, for example, Comanche. Ballasts of 8000 liters help the righting moment in stronger winds. As a direct heir to the VOR70s, which were built to perform best on carriers, it has an uncommon gliding ability.