Tom Slingsby will race in the Sydney to Hobart.
AMERICA'S Cup winning sailor Tom Slingsby is preparing for another high-speed ride on an ocean beast, with the Australian to join up with the Perpetual Loyal crew for the upcoming Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
The yacht, which will take London gold medallist Slingsby south, was unveiled today with skipper Anthony Bell rebuilding the famous supermaxi Rambler after her capsize in the Uk and transporting her to Sydney for the annual race.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott launched the rebuilt 100-footer at Rose Bay marina. Bell's Sydney to Hobart campaigner will be called Perpetual Loyal.
"I keep thinking if only I could do it," Abbott said of the Hobart campaign.
The yacht, registered in Australian waters and with Bell at her helm, will attempt to pull off one of sport's great comebacks by going from a multi-million dollar heap in the UK to the line honours winner in one of the world's toughest ocean races.
Rambler lost her keel in the 2011 Fastnet race, with her 21 crew rescued from the upturned hull and life rafts.
While the 100-footer - which flipped over after its keel bulb snapped off - was smashed beyond repair, her 10m hull was towed to land in the UK.
Sydney businessman Bell then took on the ambitious project of resurrecting her to former glory in a bid to beat the Australian supermaxi Wild Oats for a second time.
The Daily Telegraph learned earlier this year Bell was the man behind her restoration, with some of the best ocean racers in Australia and from overseas being head hunted for the project.
Slingsby was part of the Team Oracle USA outfit that beat Team New Zealand for the America's Cup in September.
The celebrities who will race on her to help raise money for the Loyal charity are yet to be announced.
Designed by leading yacht designer Juan Kouyoumdjian and built by the famous Cookson yard in Auckland, the yacht is expected to carry a crew of more than 20 to Hobart.
Bob Oatley's 100-footer Wild Oats is the pre-race favourite for this year's race and has claimed line honours in the Sydney to Hobart on six occasions, won overall twice and owns the race record of one day, 18 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds.
She also is crewed by a team of big names and America's Cup sailors.
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