December: Investec Loyal
2 December 2010
Investec Loyal: sailing with a conscience
The stars came out to play last night, the 2nd of December, at the glamorous Star City for the Loyal Foundation's annual fundraising event ‘Sail with the Stars' Gala Dinner.
This year the Loyal Foundation has pledged to raise $1 million dollars, 100 per cent of which will go to struggling charities to ensure that they can continue to brighten the lives of those who are less fortunate. In particular they will be focusing on donating to needy charities such as the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, who help to purchase medical equipment for children's hospitals around Australia. The charity is well on its way to reaching its goal with the gala event alone yielding $600 000 for its cause.
Chairman of the Loyal Foundation, Anthony Bell, with co-owner/skipper of the 100 foot supermaxi Investec Loyal and Noakes Group CEO Sean Langman, have brought together a team of Australia's yachting elite and some of the country's most well-known sporting identities to compete in the 66th Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Joining veteran skipper Sean Langman and co-owner Anthony Bell will be Olympic swimmer Geoff Huegill, surfing champion Layne Beachley, former Wallabies forwards Phil Kearns and Phil Waugh, former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden, boxing champion Danny Green and TV host Larry Edmur, as well as the professional race crew of Billy Merrington, Michael Coxon, Anthony Nossiter, Will McCarthy, Nick Burridge, Noel Drennan, David Rolfe and Morgan White.
Owners Sean Langman and Anthony Bell have spent the year and $2.5 million preparing Investec Loyal for the Bluewater Classic. Beginning her life in Auckland as the 98 foot supermaxi Maximus, she was originally built to compete in a trans-Atlantic race. In 2009 she was renamed Investec Loyal by Langman and Bell and was extended to 100 feet to compete in the 65th Annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, but came in 4th to Alfa Romeo, Wild Oats XI and British yacht Leopard.
In a bid to make the boat more competitive this year all luxury items installed for trans-Atlantic crossings have been removed, including an owner's cabin and water makers, as well as the replacement of the hydraulic systems for the canting keel, making the yacht 2000 kg lighter. A new set of sails completes the overhaul, and could be the answer to bringing the supermaxi closer to record holder Wild Oats XI and the coveted line-honours.
The Loyal Foundation is a pure charity with 100 cents in every dollar raised, making its way to eligible charities.
To donate or for more information go to the Loyal Foundation.