The Yachts

Calm

Calm

 

Calm has some of the best people in the business at the back end of the boat. Barney Walker is a veteran with thousands of sea miles to his credit, including some punched out in the Volvo Ocean Race. Sliding nicely into the navigator's role is another veteran, Richard 'Grimesy' Grimes, one of the best in the business. The two are surrounded by some of the boat's regular crew, a couple of local knowledge Tasmanians and the boat's co-owner, Jason 'Slotty' Van Der Slot, who takes this race very seriously and has done all he can to give Calm her best chance.

Purchased in March 2009 from the UK,Calmis a fourth generation Farr TP52, built in Rhode Island and developed to compete on the European and US TP52 circuits. Designed and built beyond typical MedCup standards, it is capable of offshore racing in any conditions.

Owners Jason Van Der Slot, Graeme Ainley and John Williams (the latter two are of ex-Bacardi fame) spent five months putting the boat together and giving it as much time on the water as possible. In late 2009,Calm took line and IRC honours in the ORCV's Melbourne to Stanley Race prior to racing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, where she finished 10th in division.  

However, Slotty and crew came eighth overall in last year's Hobart, finishing best of the TP52's after coming extremely close to winning. The crew were pleased to finish third in ORCi Division 1.

 

Competitor Details

Yacht Name Calm
Sail Number SM5252
Owner Van der Slot/Williams/Ainley
Skipper Jason Van der Slot (8)
Crew A Cole (1), A Leaper (2), I Walker (25), J McKay (2), J Badenach (2), J Polson (2), M Wilson (8), M Johns (3), R Grimes (24), R Leaper (4), S Watsons, R Tyson (4).
State VIC
Club SYC/RBYC
Type TP52
Designer Farr
Builder Goetz
Construction Carbon Composite
LOA 15.85
Beam 4.43
Draft 3.12