Freebairn returns to ocean racing

by Lisa Ratcliff on 8 Mar 2007 Less than three months ago, Queensland skipper Mike Freebairn made the heart wrenching decision to step off his sinking vessel Ray White Koomooloo in the tough 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart after it began taking on water.

After abandoning ship Freebairn flew to Hobart for some soul searching around the docks and it was then, less than 48 hours later, he decided he was going to replace his magnificent timber-hulled 1968 Sydney Hobart overall winner with another classic of Australian yachting – Margaret Rintoul II.

'We had to get back on the horse so we’ve stretched the budget and bought the boat,' said Freebairn, who made the emotional phone call to the owner of Margaret Rintoul, Richard Purcell, on 29 December from Hobart to start discussions.

Originally named Ragamuffin and owned by the doyen of Australian ocean yacht racing, Syd Fischer, Margaret Rintoul II was built in the same year as Koomooloo in the same yard and by the same boat builder, Cec Quilkey.

Margaret Rintoul II will contest its first sailing event since the 1999 Gosford to Lord Howe Island Race under new owner Freebairn on Saturday 24 March when it lines up as part of a strong fleet of 45 for the Audi Sydney Southport Yacht Race.

As well as some of his crew from Ray White Koomooloo, Kerry Spencer and Paul White from the Queensland flier Bobsled will step aboard the oldest boat in the Audi Sydney Southport fleet when it makes its ocean racing comeback.

A Sparkman & Stephens 49, Margaret Rintoul II has a long and colourful history including contesting 21 Rolex Sydney Hobarts and three Admiral’s Cup - 1969, 1971 and 1973 - the same years Koomooloo was part of the Australian team - and a Fastnet Race Win in 1971, skippered by Syd Fischer.

Sydney yachtsman Stan Edwards bought the boat and re-named her Margaret Rintoul II in honour of his father's original Margaret Rintoul, a yawl that took line honours in the Sydney Hobart Race in 1950 and 1951.

The Purcell family has owned the boat for the past 19 years, sailing her in three Hobarts, including a second to Love & War in the 30 Year Veterans Division of the 50th Race in 1994 and a Division win in the stormswept 1998 race.

'Margaret Rintoul II is a very worthy stepping stone following the loss of Koomooloo,' says Freebairn who bought the boat with the blessing of his father Don. The pair spent a decade restoring Koomooloo to its original state and both were devastated by the loss.

Don, who suffers terrible arthritis, flew to Sydney last weekend to view Margaret Rintoul II and was pleased to discover 'it was a bit more comfortable than Koomooloo'.

A longer and much heavier boat, it will be a steep learning curve for the young skipper, says Richard Purcell. 'The boat has to be sailed like you have a football team on board…otherwise she’ll spit you out'.

Sailing for the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Margaret Rintoul II is one of a healthy fleet of six Queensland entries contesting the 386 nautical mile Audi Sydney Southport.

New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, the ACT, the UK and Hong Kong are also represented.

CYCA sailing manager Justine Kirkjian is delighted with the quality and size of the fleet which will line up on 24 March for the final race of the Club’s Bluewater Pointscore Series which began in July last year and included the 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart.

'I am really pleased with the size and make up of the fleet,' said Kirkjian late this afternoon.

'With 21 boats between 40-50 feet it seems there is going to be a real battle amongst the 40 footers. It’s also great to see the race being supported by the Queenslanders with six entries, a significant number for that state'.

Applications closed today at 5pm however late entries may be accepted by the CYCA Sailing Office until 15 March 2007.