ICAP are proud to sponsor Mike Slade’s Leopard 3 racing sailing yacht. Launched in 2007, the Leopard is a 100ft super maxi from Farr Yacht Design.

The yacht is 30 metres long, 6.8 metres wide, has a 5.5 metre draft, a 4.5 metre fixed bowsprit. The rig towers 154 feet above the water and can carry up to 15,000 square feet of sail area. The keel is able to cant 40 degrees either side of centreline providing a stability boost equivalent to 200 crew members sitting on the rail, without the added weight.

The Leopard features a relatively wide, powerful hull which is a direct successor to Farr Yacht Design’s successful Open 60, Volvo 70 and Cookson 50 designs. Accordingly Farr Yacht Design has provided an ideal platform for exceptional speed with the volume for remarkable luxury yacht charters. Leopard is a notable and welcome departure from the current mode of extremely narrow boats.

Like the Volvo 70 the yacht’s wider hull concept is especially suited for high-speed sailing offshore. Interestingly her hull shape has been enhanced by the presence of a chine which improves water flow off the hull and reduces structural weight.

ICAP Leopard is set to tackle the third leg of a historic treble as the 100ft super-maxi will take on world-class fleet in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Having already taken line honours in the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race this year, the world famous Rolex Sydney Hobart in December 2009 represents the final leg of a potentially historic treble. No yacht has ever taken line honours in all three races in the same calendar year, but Slade and his crew have set their sights on becoming the first.