Audi Victoria Week: Secret Mens Business confirmed overall winner of Passage Race

Secret Mens Business on the course yesterday. Image copyright Andrea Francolini/Audi.

by Di Pearson

South Australian Geoff Boettcher and his Secret Mens Business 3.5 crew were declared winners of the Passage Race at Audi Victoria Week last evening after the 335-strong fleet finished the 34.3 nautical mile race from Williamstown to Geelong.

In winning, Boettcher also claimed the Lou Abrahams trophy. Abrahams, a true champion of sailing, having represented Australia and won at international and national events, is the only yachtsman in the Week’s 166 year history to have a trophy named in his honour. The 82 year-old also contested the Passage Race and finished sixth overall in the Sydney 38 one design division.

“I’ve never won my own trophy,” Abrahams said last night, “but I’m going to keep trying,” he laughed.

Boettcher, who has had quite some trials and tribulations with his various Secret Mens Business named yachts, was thrilled with his win in the Royal Geelong Yacht Club hosted event yesterday. “We’ve had our share of bad luck, so it was great to get a win up,” he said.


Geoff Boettcher (left) receives his new carbon fibre wheel from McConaghy managing director Jono Morris. Image copyright Andrea Francolini/Audi.

Last evening, Boettcher was presented with his Passage Race prize; a carbon fibre steering wheel valued at $5,000 from McConaghy Boats. Last evening at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, McConaghy managing director Jono Morris, presented Boettcher with his prize.

“It’s a very generous prize. Having Lou’s name attached with McConaghy’s in our win - two great names in sailing – is a thrill. We already have a McConaghy wheel on our yacht, so it’ great to have a spare.

As the winner of Division 1 of the Audi IRC Series, Boettcher and his Reichel/Pugh 51 crew are also the early leaders of the first round of the Audi IRC Australian Championship.

Audi Victoria Week