XTRA LINK is a Leisure 42 built by Pacer, she is not an all out racer, but rather a racer/cruiser weighing in at some 8.5 tons and boasting a fully kitted out interior. In preparation for the race she has had her IRC certificate updated, minimum sails will be carried. Simplicity being the main objective. On board there will be top of the range communication systems, ranging from SSB, Sat Phones and a Sailor FBB250 broadband system. Yacht Xtra Link’s is ideal for the Rio Race, she performs well in the sub 18 knot winds on a slight reach which is what is expected for a huge part of the Cape to Rio Race.
The boat has been checked and rechecked to ensure that everything is ship shape for the voyage. As is tradition with the skipper, he always has a balance of experienced and “still learning” sailors aboard the boat. He prefers to sail without premadonna’s, but rather with committed people who get on with the job and are highly compatible. According to the skipper, he believes that every voyage should end with the crew being better friends then when the voyage started.
