The Yachts

UBS Wild Thing

UBS Wild Thing

 

CYCA Past Commodore Geoff Lavis has extensively campaigned his Inglis/Murray 50 UBS Wild Thing since he purchased her in 1999, contesting numerous major events: Sydney Hobarts (2), Sydney Gold Coast (11) and Sydney Mooloolaba (3) races among others. Under original owner, Grant Wharington, also contested one each of the Brisbane Osaka and Melbourne Osaka races, for which this 25 year-old timber boat still holds the race record, set in 1995 in a little under 26 days 21 hours. She is fastidiously maintained and remains quick and very wet off the breeze! UBS Wild Thing has given her owner Lavis some exhilarating rides, including when she won PHS overall in 2006 Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, third in 2007 and second in 2009. Her last Gold Coast race was 2011, when she finished third in PHS Division 1. Has recently been updated, including new rig and sails and measured for IRC. This race will be a first gauge her performance as opposed to when she raced under PHS.  

While Lavis’ wife Pip will miss the race, their sons, Adam and Ben, will uphold the family tradition. Both are former CYCA Youth Academy students and they will be joined by others who have attended, including Amanda Scrivenor, who is one of Lavis’ drivers. Getting into shape, UBS Wild Thing recently finished second overall to Swish in Division A1 of the Land Rover Winter Series.  

 

Competitor Details

Yacht Name UBS Wild Thing
Sail Number 1014
Owner Geoff Lavis
Skipper Geoff Lavis
Navigator Ron Cooper
Crew A Lavis, A Scrivenor, A Hay, A Smith, B Lavis, J Smith, J Crawford, J English, J Owens, K Griffiths
State NSW
Club CYCA
Type Inglis Dovell 50
Designer Inglis / Dovell
Builder Hart Marine
Construction Timber
LOA 15.12
Beam 4.47
Draft 3.28