We’ve been hearing rumors for months now that an Aussie biznessbloke had his eye on a ‘100-footer to end WOXI’s reign’ over the Sydney-Hobart race, but with no custom build in the works that we could find, it was all a bit of a mystery.  With news trickling in that her insurance issues had almost been cleared up and photos popping up on Facebook of the Speedboat/Rambler 100 on a southbound barge, it’s all starting to make sense.  Next stop: Line honors?
UPDATE: Â SA’er ‘point’ writes that the Speedboat is headed to NZ before Sydney, and the buyer is Investec Loyal boat partner Anthony Bell, though ‘point’ suggests the Bell purchase may be a cover for Neville ‘Croakie’ Crichton of Alfa Romeo fame. Â As most remember, Crichton’s big Alfa Romeo II was chased from the Line Honors rivalry when perpetual rival Bob Oatley built the all-conquering WOXI; has enough time gone by for Croakie to take another shot? Â Or will Bell and LOYAL partner Sean Langman pool their talents to take on the big dog in 2014? Â There’s no doubt that Speedboat would destroy WOXI in a reachy, breezy race…if she finishes. Â And given her track record, that’s a big if. Â Be sure to keep abreast of the entertaining Speedboat thread for news on the meanest monohull ever built.
Update: “Just a quick note so you can update your info from a recent article. My Name is Anthony Bell (Investec Loyal), I have not been in partnership with Sean Langman since 2010, and While Neville Crichton is a great mate and Mentor, I am not fronting a possible new campaign for the Speedboat for him.”
