Serco sponsors Navy One competing in iconic 75th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Continuing to foster strong ties with the Royal Australian Navy, Serco is a joint sponsor of Navy One, the Beneteau First 40, competing in the 75th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. 

This is this first Navy entry in the Sydney Hobart race in 18 years and the crew aim to be the first Armed Forces yacht to reach Hobart (on corrected time) to win the Oggin Cup. Traditional rivalry between Navy and Army will play out across Bass Strait as Navy One battles with Gun Runner, crewed by Australian Army personnel.

Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead RAN officially launched Navy One and its crew today at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the home of the Rolex Sydney Hobart. Fleet Marine Services Contract Director Mark Shannon was presented with an official crew uniform, which Serco has sponsored.

Serco Defence Managing Director Clint Thomas, AM, CSC, said the team is thrilled to sponsor Navy One and be part of this iconic Australian sporting event.

“Serco has a long and proud history supporting the Australian Defence Force and manages several key operations for the Navy. This sponsorship provides us with an opportunity to strengthen ties between Serco and the Royal Australian Navy and we’re looking forward to an exciting race,” he said.  

The Navy One crew includes: Lieutenant Commander Nathan Lockhart (Team Captain), Anthony Burrows (Skipper), Darren Watkins (Navigator), David Prentice, Emma Cook, Kieran Davis, Rob Cresswell, Will Sherman, Tracey Magyar and Nick Greenhill.

Navy One, was purchased by the Royal Australian Navy a few years ago for initial entry officer sail training at HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay and was moved to Sydney as part of Navy’s re-entry into offshore sailing.

ENDS

Media contact: Jennifer Crooks, +61 (0) 2 9409 8700 or [email protected] 

Image: Mark Shannon (5th from left) with Navy One crew in the Serco sponsored uniforms.