Last week Craig Carter confirmed the entry of his Carkeek 47, Indian, in the racing division of the 2020 Fremantle to Bali Race & Rally.

Indian has the credentials to challenge for both handicap and race honours. Principal helmsman Paul Eldrid, you might remember, skippered the Bakewell White 37 General Lee in the Bali Classic of 2013.

In that race the fleet was hit by storm cell, during which Paul and co-owner/navigator Scott Disley displayed remarkable understanding, taking the General to the western side of the storm centre, riding out the terrible conditions for hours under bare poles and then as planned, coolly flew home to the Bali finish so quickly that she almost beat the super maxi Supersled across the line, taking first place on IRC and PHB.

Craig Carter and Paul Eldrid are a formidable force on Indian. The boat, built in Dubai and launched in January 2014, competed in the 2014 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, placing 17th over the line from 120 entries and the following year in challenging conditions, finished 11th over the line.

In May 2015, Indian enjoyed her first race to Bali. She cleaned up big time, taking out both line honours and the IRC handicap trophies. The 2015/16 season turned out to be a fantastic year for Craig and his crew, winning the Siska Trophy.

Is Indian up to the task of taking line honours this year? Stacked up against Jeff Hill’s Hong Kong based Antipodes, a Santa Cruz 72, she might have her work cut out, but don’t try telling that to the crew!

by Bernie Kaaks