Sydney to Hobart handicap favourite Caro has boosted her multi-national crew by adding a couple of sailors from Ichi Ban, the boat which has dominated overall honours in recent years.
Built in 2021, the Botin 52 boat representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron was scheduled to contest last year’s race but the COVID-19 pandemic scuppered Switzerland-based owner Max Klink’s plan.
When she did race in Australia in mid-2022, Caro made an immediate impression by winning Division 1 of the Australian Yachting championship in Hamilton Island, beating several local TP52s.
Among them was Ichi Ban, the most dominant Sydney to Hobart handicap boat in recent memory.
Matt Allen’s TP52, which isn’t heading to Hobart this year, notched an event record-equalling three overall wins, achieving that across just four races.
«They have been the boat to beat and it’s quite an impressive history they have in the Hobart race,» Klink told AAP.
«For us it was always a benchmark.
«We said when we built the boat we need to be in the ballpark of being able to beat Ichi Ban.»
With Ichi Ban not competing this year, Klink was able to recruit a couple of her crew members, James Paterson and Will Parker, to fill vacancies aboard his boat, which includes sailors from Ireland, America, New Zealand, Canada and Australia.
One of the newer boats in this year’s race, Caro has also achieved impressive results in 2022 outside of Australia, winning her division of the Les Voiles de St Barth and placing fourth overall in the RORC Transatlantic Race.
«The boat is meant to do well in all these 600 milers, the Fastnet, the Middle Sea race, the Hobart, Giraglia,» Klink said.
«The boat is planned around the Hobart race, I have to say.»
While Caro has been installed as a clear favourite for overall honours by some, Klink downplayed his boat’s prospects saying its rating wasn’t as good as some of its rivals.
«I do not think we are the favourite, its a very strong fleet of 52s this year,» Klink said.
«When you see the rating differences it will be quite hard against the lower ratings.
«They are well sailed, they have great crews on board, so it will be very tough.»
The long range forecast which suggested some strong northerly breezes across the first two days didn’t appear to favour the TP52s, but Klink wasn’t concerned.
«The forecast this morning is a bit more moderate,» Klink added.
«At the moment it looks alright for us.»
Although the boat was built in New Zealand, along with her mast and sails, she has yet to race in her country of origin.