Sailing Icons Gain Backing for New Challenge with SeaHold Perie Banou II

• NEWS
• 01 Nov, 2008 01:09:00 PM

Sailing Icons Gain Backing for New Challenge with SeaHold Perie Banou II

Sailing legends Jon Sanders and David Dicks have entered the race to take home the Tattersall’s Cup!

Sailing legends Jon Sanders and David Dicks have entered the race to take home the Tattersall’s Cup!

As most in the yachting scene would know, Jon is internationally renowned for holding many world sailing records, including most notably his single-handed triple non-stop circumnavigation back in 1988.  Add to this a long list of entries in the Guinness Book of  Records, decades of ocean crossings and ocean racing, and you begin to get the picture .  In 1996, Jon’s protégé David Dicks became the youngest person to sail around the world single-handed and non-stop at the tender age of 18.  Not content with resting on their laurels, the two high achievers have set their sights on a new challenge.

Their ambitious overhaul of Jon’s 39 foot Sparkman & Stephens yacht to get her in prime racing condition has been made possible through significant sponsorship -  most notably that of internationally active private investment group, SeaHold.

SeaHold is headquartered in Dublin with offices in Aberdeen, representation in the US, Norway, and Asia-Pacific, and potential future expansion into Perth, WA.  Since 2005 SeaHold’s operations have focused on a diverse mix of investment including: marine leisure and related infrastructure support; residential and commercial property development; hospitality; international equities; specialty food wholesale and retail; field sports; and some offshore oil and gas related investment.

SeaHold retains a small multi-national team of staff directed from its Dublin office by Director Janelle Manton.

“We are delighted to support this great sporting endeavour by two such legendary yachtsmen”, said Janelle.  “SeaHold has always had an eye for investing in winners, and we don’t expect this project to be any different!”

The injection of SeaHold sponsorship has ramped up the pace and extent of the refit of SeaHold Perie Banou II, which has been under cover since April this year.  “At 37 years old she’s done more than 50,000 sea miles, a lot of ocean crossings and ocean races, and one whole circumnavigation of the globe”, said Jon.  “We’re giving her a complete makeover – new deck, rigging, hardware, sails, ropes, electronics equipment, and safety gear.  But she’ll be keeping her essential character – that of a sturdy, seagoing vessel that can perform under any conditions that the coming Race throws at us”.

Just turned 69 years, Jon is still going strong, doing yacht deliveries around the world and keeping his eye out for the next challenge.  Jon has competed in the Sydney Hobart race five times, placing 3rd in division in 1977, 3rd overall in 1984, and successfully completing in 1978, 1989 and 1994.  Several of the 2008 crew, including David, sailed with Jon on these occasions.

Restoring SeaHold Perie Banou II has been a labour of love for Jon’s crew - a rugged bunch who have known him for many years and inherited his passion for ocean sailing.  The small band of working men are investing their time, skills and resources into this project for dual reasons.  “We want to ensure that Perie Banou II is in race condition and shipshape for another twenty years – perhaps even for another world record circumnavigation attempt”, said David.  “We all owe Jon a lot - he introduced us to sailing and has shaped who we are.  And of course we want to be there with him to take on this incredible challenge”.

In addition to SeaHold’s major sponsorship, the team secured early sponsorship from the Australian Sailing Museum, and a wide range of grassroots support from local companies and friends.   “We have been overwhelmed by the level of support”, said Jon.  “Myself and the crew are humbled by the warmth and generosity of SeaHold, Rolly Tasker’s Australian Sailing Museum, and all our supporters.  We are determined to repay them by putting in the finest possible effort in the coming Race”.

There is no denying that the remarkable SeaHold Perie Banou II team will be formidable competitors in the coming race.  Being one of only three WA race entrants so far, and given their legendary skippers, they can count on a large audience cheering them over the line.