In the fleet of 30 expected starters for the 2024 Great Veterans Race (GVR) will be eight yachts from the IOR era, all of which have competed in at least one Sydney – Hobart.
One of the more famous names is the Farr 43, Wild Oats, IOR Sydney – Hobart winner in 1993, the last year in which the International Offshore Rule (IOR) was used to determine an overall handicap winner. In that race the yacht was skippered by the remarkable Roger Hickman, a great champion of preparation, safety and “housekeeping” as the keys to yacht racing enjoyment and success. Under current owners Stuart Byrne and Gordon Smith, Wild Oats has been an early and regular supporter of classic yacht racing at the CYCA.
Another famous name is Sagacious V, a 1987 One Tonner to a Bruce Farr design, and the overall Sydney – Hobart winner in 1990. The race that year was sailed in furious conditions, reported as Nor’east 40 to 50 knots, followed by a Sou’wester of up to 60 knots, and the win was a triumph of boat and crew over wind and sea. Sagacious V had been narrowly beaten into 2nd place in 1989, finishing three minutes behind the Victorian One Tonner Ultimate Challenge. Under current owner Matthew Hundt, Sagacious V has been a regular competitor in the CYCA’s GVR and the annual Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta.
A first time entrant is the 23m Bumblebee 4. Launched in 1979 and of aluminium construction to a German Frers design, Bumblebee 4 won line honours in that year’s Sydney – Hobart and line honours in the 1980 Newport to Bermuda race. She is a might addition and we are glad to welcome owners Joe and Thomas Goddard to the fleet.
Written by David Champtaloup
