Refit can get Witt elusive line win

It’s the great weight loss program Scallywag skipper David Witt hopes will deliver the famous supermaxi its first Sydney to Hobart line win – and the first to a foreign raider since Comanche in 2015.

The 100-footer, racing for the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and owned by Malaysian Seng Huang Lee, has been spruced up in a major refit for the race with a new set of sails and, most importantly, a new mast, which is an amazing 600kg lighter than her old one.

“This is a last chance for us, our last hooray because she’s going to Europe for three years after this,’’ Witt said as the yacht moved into a linehonours pole position after the latest challenging forecast.

Once this race is over the yacht is to be based in La Spezia in Italy for campaigns including the Middle Sea race, St Tropez and other major events.

Witt is particularly excited about the new mast with the weight saved crucial to the yacht’s performance.

“We moved the mast back to balance it better and it’s 600kg lighter than the old one, which dated back to 2011,’’ he said. “It was the boat’s achilles heel, that extra weight.

“The boss has given us every chance in this race.’’

Scallywag has repeatedly threatened to take the win in Sydney to Hobarts, but needs specific conditions to show her wares and gain an edge over her main rival, defending champion and Andoo Comanche skipper John “Herman” Winning.

The Sydney to Hobart fleet stands at just 103 with Andoo Comanche also one of the race favourites with the yacht taking line honours in four past races under different owners, sponsors and names.

Scallywag returns to the Sydney to Hobart after a year off for her refit and overhaul.

In 2021 Scallywag finished third and was fourth in 2019.