02 September 2020
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The 2020 Rolex Sydney to Hobart is the first time the race has allowed double-handed entries in the great race.
Wendy Tuck is no novice on the sea having competed in thirteen Sydney Hobarts races, Australian female yachtswoman of the year and Australian Offshore sailor of the year, winning skipper of Clipper Round the World Yacht race (and first female skipper), guest skipper on Maiden – to name just a few of her many accolades.
While the Cruising Yacht club of Australia is yet to make a call on whether this year’s Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race will proceed, Tuck is going ahead with her plans as usual, even securing a corporate sponsorship with Quality Marine Clothing (QMC), in conjunction with YOTI.
When Wendy Tuck announced a double-handed campaign for this year’s new category of double-handed with co-skipper Campbell Geeves, and the pair plan to turn a Beneteau First 34.7 called Speedwell into an offshore racer in order to compete.
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Tuck and Geeves have been busily preparing the family cruiser, replacing everything from her new sails and instruments, and putting in a deeper rudder. Then there was a matter of sourcing all the sailing gear.
“The campaign will cost about $100K all up and every bit of sponsorship is needed to get us there successfully,” said Tuck.
So when Tuck received a call from Quality Marine Clothing, she was thrilled.
“I knew we would create a bit of interest after the announcement, and we got a lot of calls saying congrats, but to receive a call straight up to say we want to sponsor you is terrific,” Tuck Continued.
Partnering with the guys at YOTI, QMC will outfit Wendy and Campbell in all their apparel needs for the great race, from onshore après and press conference requirements to their technical Gore-Tex offshore wet weather gear.
Sales & Marketing Director for QMC, Duncan Curnow has worked with both Wendy and Campbell on various campaigns over the years and knows the pair well.
“I received a call from the team at YOTI asking if we were doing the gear for Wendy Tuck’s double-handed campaign, Curnow commented. “I was considering it and when YOTI said they were keen to support the campaign the deal was set and I made no hesitation in contacting Wendy to see what we could do to partner with this great adventure.”
Quality Marine Clothing (QMC) is a specialised marine uniform supplier operating in Australia. They have the ability to source apparel from many brands and suppliers to fit any brief, from independent sailing boats to superyachts.
YOTI specialise in pre-owned production yachts and multihulls, founded by Tim Vine and John Cowpe in 2008.
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