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AUSTRALIA Junkyard dogs


Sean Langman is one of Sydney Harbour’s best-known yachting personalities. Racing everything from skiffs to classics, sponsoring youth and women sailors, while also running a very busy, very suc- cessful marine dockyard company. After racing the 2023 Fastnet in his family’s tiny classic yacht Maluka he tells Blue Robinson why he is returning to Cowes with something a little faster… ‘It is something I really never thought I would find myself doing! I use the excuse that Maluka is now here and so I often come to the UK. I loved that Fastnet Race on Maluka, even though they were packing up the tents as we crossed the finish line! Then for this Admiral’s Cup I made all the excuses, and tried to convince myself that I didn’t need to modify my GP42, and that I don’t need the best crew in the world, and I don’t need new sails – mildly delusional, but on it goes!


‘It is a curious thing selecting a team for the Admiral’s Cup. After Moneypenny’s success (Langman’s Reichel-Pugh 69) the CYCA approached me to see if I had any interest in the Cup. I was quite open that I am not of that wealth bracket to be involved at this level, or with time to build and trial boats as in the old days; but given we were Blue Water champions, that is how it all manifested. ‘We looked for a decent boat and thought that if we built this Admiral’s Cup project then people would come, and someone of the standard of Matt Allen would join us – and if he did, then the bar would be set really high, which would have pushed me to lift my game, not wanting to embarrass ourselves. Sadly Matt pulled out and Gordon Ketelbey was sitting in the wings, saying ‘pick me!’ – but it wasn’t my place to pick anyone, as it was a CYCA club team. But they selected him with his Botín-designed TP52 Zen. He has invested a lot in the boat, and has Chris Nicholson and Tom Addis involved, so real talent there. ‘We have Back 2 Black, a GP42/Fast40. And the best teams here have gone the same route, with two high-rating fast boats. For us in the small boat slot I figured it was important to get a boat that could plane against the tide – if they finish us into a tide, you want something that spends as little time as possible in that scenario.


‘The real champion from the CYCA has been Justine Kirkjian


– she nominated Peter Shipway to try to herd the cats and he was part of that process. Justine felt that because international boats travel to Australia for the Sydney Hobart, it was important for Australia to be represented here at this event. Plus of course we are the holders of the Admiral’s Cup, from back in 2003. ‘And really this regatta has so much history with Australian boats. Certainly, the two people I looked up to in ocean racing were Bob Oatley and Syd Fischer, both had their moments with me! But I had great admiration for all they achieved and would never have thought I would be mentioned in the same paragraph in terms of the Admiral’s Cup. Meaning this is humbling, because I can clearly recall walking up and down the CYCA marina dock, asking for rides. ‘The Fastnet is triple points here and so that is a big element, and to make the boat strong enough but quick enough is a challenge. We bought a day-racing Fast40. But making it stronger has also made it faster, because stiffer means more headstay load and so better for the inshores especially.


‘Of course the tides in the Solent don’t just go in one simple direction! British round-the-world skipper Matt Humphries is joining us. Stories about racing in Cowes were about the only yachting literature we could read growing up! And when you read about it as a kid it seemed a huge place – the centre of the sailing universe!! Going to England now I thought Cowes was 20-times bigger than it is! But it is still very special for me. We were scrambling a bit to get it all done in Australia and then into a month of training in the UK while our new keel is still being milled. Keryn McMaster is also onboard, a great sailor – well up in PredictWind and her weather knowledge is something special.


‘We have no secret weapon. But converting junkyard dogs into something competitive is familiar to us and I have always loved all the tinkering behind that! I have been working with Jason Ker – we are battling over the design changes! He doesn’t like the idea that I draw my inspiration on the shower screen, thinking about moving the keel bulb while I am having a hot shower! But, seriously, the overall feeling for all the team is huge pride representing Australia. Blue Robinson





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