The Yachts

Wild Oats

Wild Oats

 

Another well-known competitor, this Farr 43 won the Tattersall Trophy as Wild Rose under previous owner, the late Roger Hickman, in the 70th Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 2014. She first won as Wild Rose. Hickman, with partners Bruce Foye and Lance Peckman, won the tough 1993 race under IOR, in conjunction with IMS winner, Cuckoos Nest. 

Gordon Smith purchased Wild Oats in 2020 as an equal shareholder in a new syndicate and continues to campaign the yacht, but under PHS. He is now the majority owner, with Stuart Byrne buying into the syndicate in 2023. The two continue to champion female development in offshore sailing, following in Hickman’s footsteps. The CYCA established the Wild Rose Pointscore in the Audi Centre Blue Water Pointscore (the Rolex Sydney Hobart being the final race), named in Hickman’s honour for promoting women in offshore racing. Wild Oats’ PHS finishes in the Sydney Hobart include sixth overall for second in Division 2 last year, 26th in 2021 and fourth in 2019.

 

Competitor Details

Yacht Name Wild Oats
Sail Number 4343
Owner Gordon Smith
Skipper Gordon Smith (8)
Navigator Stuart Byrne (1)
Crew Gary Dent (1), Georgina Kernohan, Stephen Lipman (8), Chris Paterson, Nick Potter (2), Adam Watson, Catherine Wood, Kate Lynch (3)
State NSW
Club CYCA
Type Farr 43
Designer Bruce Farr & Associates (USA)
Builder McConaghy Boats
LOA 13.1
Beam 4.2
Draft 2.5