Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki wins handicap honours at the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
After putting up a superb sailing show at the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki successfully claimed the line honours of handicap class. Ainsworth along with Geoff Boettcher, winner of the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, claimed
the Ocean Racer of the year title. On the other hand, Navigator Loki, Michael Bellingham won the Ocean Racing Navigator of the year title.
Ainsworth’s Loki had a successful run at the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA). The Sydney Hobart win is another addition to their previous achievements, such as the 2009 Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht
Race and 2010 Flinders Islet Race. Skipper Ainsworth and the crew members are quite happy with their victory.
Speaking to local media at the conclusion of the race, Ainsworth said, “We are elated, it is a fantastic feeling, a huge thrill to win this race. Having done 14 races, I know how hard it is to win this race. I have been trying for a long time. So many things
have to go right for you and the wind gods were with us. Our race went extremely well.”
The 2010 Audi IRC Australian champion added, “The aim for the navigators was to avoid stopping and we successfully did that, although we came close a couple of times. Look at what happened to Wild Oats XI - that could easily have happened to us.”
Ainsworth’s team was able to claim their first Tattersall’s Cup in their 13th attempt. After a severe incident with Ainsworth’s previous boat, Wild Oats XI, Loki commenced sailing three years ago under the leadership of Ainsworth. The previous
yacht of Ainsworth was caught in a severe accident and broke her rudder during the 2007 Rolex Middle Sea.
Patrick Boutellier of Rolex Australia presented Ainsworth and his crew with a Rolex Yacht-Master timepiece for their splendid finish. Meanwhile, the Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Garry Linacre and Commodore of the Royal Yacht Club of
Tasmania, Graham Taplin crowned Ainsworth and the crew with the Tattersall’s Cup at a presentation ceremony.
Ainsworth’s engagement with Loki has been quite successful so far and currently, they are one of the top sailing teams in Australia. They secured the 2010 Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, the 2010 Australian IRC Championship and this year, they grabbed
the 2011 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.
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