Ocean RacingSydney-Hobart

paint it black

big keefSuccumbing to the same fear that spurred the creation of what has been dubiously called the ‘biggest spinnaker ever built’ for the Perpetual Loyal, Jim Clark’s big native was seen today sporting her own monster mega-kite, an answer to the 10-degree advantaged soaking power that shot the old Speedboat out the back of Wild Oats XI’s skinny ass last year.  While the window for a loose-luffed kite on boats these fast is extremely narrow, if those deep downwind angles are required, the fat girls are going to need every advantage they can get to stay in touch with the low-drag hull of the silver arrow.

The first problem?  Big ratings hit, which means the decision to carry or not will be a last-minute one.  The bigger problem? The 100-foot tall warrior head looks far more like the Rolling Stones’ own Energizer Bunny than it does a fearsome warrior.  But the motherf*%ker can play, can’t he?

Longtime SA’er ‘gybe-ho!’ coined the new sail’s name, forever now known as “Big Keef”in the continuously enjoyable trash-talk thread.

For a great look at a couple who’s really growing on us, head over to this Channel 7 sitdown with Clark and supermodel wife Kristy Hinze on whether the decidedly not fat-bottomed girl will race down to the Customs House on a jet or on a supermaxi.