Todd Giraudo and co-skiipper “Dubbo” (David White) will be taking a cake with them to enjoy on the way to Osaka in order to celebrate Dubbo’s 50th birthday. The name Kraken, came from the black, spiced Carribean rum, bearing the motto “ I swear to be of drinking age and strong of nerve”. It appealed to Todd for its unique bottle and great taste.
Todd and Dubbo both belong to Hillary’s Yacht Club in Western Australia. Todd had been keen to get involved in double-handed offshore sailing for some time and Dubbo had crewed with Todd on previous larger boats. Dubbo was very impressed with the Sunfast 3200 when he participated in the 2008/09 Trans-quadra and he co-skippered the first Kraken (now The Edge) since 2011. With Jeanneau announcing a newer, larger Sunfast in the 3600, the new Kraken was delivered to Sydney and displayed at the Sydney Boat Show in July 2014. Following a successful Sydney to Hobart race, the boat was trucked back to Perth. Ever since Kraken has been sailing in all Blue Water events in Western Australia.
Kraken is set up for short-handed sailing and well suited for ocean racing. Upgrades to the boat for the race include a watermaker, satellite dome, Watt and Sea Hydrogenerator; lithium batteries and a second alternator; AIS man overboard transponders and a new laptop with latest version of Predictwind. Time, money and opportunity allow the team to “have a go” at the longest ocean race that starts in Australia – the Osaka Cup.
Both Todd and Dubbo enjoy the challenge and simplicity of double handed racing and are looking forward to March 2018.
Video Clip
George Shaw chats with Todd and Dubbo aboard Kraken