Comanche skipper reveals it was his wife who convinced him to buy the world’s fastest supermaxi
When your wife says jump, you grab the best supermaxi money can buy, says Sydney businessman Jim Cooney.
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HE’S the skipper of the fastest supermaxi in the world but in this family, Sydney-Hobart winning skipper Jim Cooney’s wife Samantha wears the wet weather pants.
Jim, Samantha and their son James, 21, were key members of the crew that sailed Comanche into the record books yesterday as line honours champion of the milestone 75th anniversary of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
It was after the champagne had been sprayed and the Illingworth Trophy handed over for line honours that Jim revealed all _ it was Sam’s idea to buy Comanche.
“There’s a lot of truth to that because we were tossing up what to do next because we were having a great time with Brindabella and Maserati,” Jim said.
“We got to a point of thinking what should we do next.
“The decision was made – not necessarily by me – that rather than waiting we should go ahead and purchase something and have some really great fun.
“That’s what we did – and it seems worth it today.”
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It was Comanche’s second line honours title for the Cooney clan, having won the race and set a new record only two weeks after buying it in 2017.
Jim and son James, and daughter Julia, were onboard for that one, and Samantha signed on this time.
“It’s very exciting to win this fabulous race,” Samantha said.
“We can look back on it with very fond memories because we many ups and downs, it wasn’t a simple race – we didn’t just get out in front and stay there.
“I don’t think anyone onboard was certain we were going to win until we crossed the finish line.”
James started on the bow, and was a sail trimmer for this race.
“I’m working my way back, and I’m hoping one day dad will let me drive,” James said.
james.bresnehan@news.com.au
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