jim clark yacht athena

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Athena: Inside the 79m Royal Huisman flagship yacht

To celebrate the news that the Royal Huisman schooner Athena will be attending to this year’s Monaco Yacht Show , we speak to owner Jim Clark about his enduring love for this 79.25 metre sailing yacht.

“Let’s face it,” says Jim Clark, “you have to be a little bit nuts.” The Silicon Valley legend, founder of Netscape, WebMD and Silicon Graphics, is talking about building his triple-masted schooner, Athena .

There were a few people at Royal Huisman who would have agreed: the shipyard hadn’t even launched Clark’s previous yacht, 47.4 metre Hyperion , when he started talking about a much, much bigger boat. “I guess I was just thinking it would be nice to have something a little more roomy,” he says. “I could easily have built a 50 or 60 metre motor yacht that would have had the same space as Athena , but I was never really interested in building a motor yacht.”

The clipper-bowed beauty that was born of this thinking ranks as one of the all-time great superyachts; as big a hit today as she was when launched in 2004. Twelve years on and Clark is still smitten with Athena . “I love her proportions. To my eye, she’s one of the most gorgeous large sailing yachts, maybe the most gorgeous large sailing yacht in the world.”

The 72 year old didn’t stop with Athena . He went on to build the J Class Hanuman at Royal Huisman and the 30.4 metre carbon weapon Comanche at Hodgdon Yachts (which recently broke the Transatlantic sailing record ). But it’s Athena with which he’s most closely identified, a 90 metre nod to a more refined age, yet packed with the kind of tech you’d expect from a man who has made a fortune inventing the future.

We’re talking shortly after a bittersweet period for Clark. He was honoured with the Legacy Award at the 2016 World Superyacht Awards , which followed shortly after the sad news of Pieter Beeldsnijder’s death. The Dutch designer was responsible for the exterior and interior styling of Hyperion , and worked closely with Clark on the interiors of Athena , creating a series of rich but comfortable spaces with a classic edge.

“He was one of my all-time favourite people,” says Clark. “He and I were even talking about doing some other projects together. I would have enjoyed seeing him another time.”

Such was Beeldsnijder’s success in delivering Clark’s vision for the yacht that, all these years later, Clark says he wouldn’t change a thing. “I would design a new boat before I would change Athena . If I was forced to change something, I would convert the office on the lower deck into a children’s room because it’s next to the master stateroom. I didn’t anticipate children when designing this boat, but all that’s changed now! People who come on board can’t believe she’s 12 years old. She’s been very well cared for.”

Clark proudly recounts a story from a few days before our interview. He had been invited aboard a “very large” motor yacht in Monaco’s Port Hercules and, when leaving to tender back to  Athena , a young couple got in the boat thinking it was a ferry to shore. “It turns out they were Dutch and I invited them aboard and they were just effusive about Athena compared to the motor yacht.”

The story of how  Athena  came to be starts on the Amalfi Coast, where, in the 1990s, Clark first laid eyes on  Creole . The 63 metre wooden schooner, owned by the Gucci family, was built in 1927 to designs by Charles E Nicholson. “I looked at her and said, ‘that’s a beautiful boat’.  Athena  as a concept started along the lines of  Creole .”

“Prior to even building Hyperion I had also chartered [J Class yacht] Endeavour , so I was always intrigued by that kind of boat. When I went back and thought about building a bigger boat [than Hyperion ], I thought why not build a more traditional-looking boat? That’s where Pieter and I started.”

There was never a question about which yard would build it. Jim Clark and Royal Huisman were wed with Hyperion , which at that point was the yard’s biggest launch. Now double it, Clark demanded. But it wasn’t as easy as simply saying “yes”, recalls Alice Huisman, former MD of the company and daughter of the legendary Wolter Huisman.

“When Jim started to think about Athena , I don’t really think we understood his vision,” she says. “Where we saw limits and constraints, he saw none. For example, he pushed her physical dimensions to the point where we had to build a whole new construction hall that would be large enough to accommodate her size.” It was the boat that kept on growing, both parties remember. For Clark, though, it was just about nailing the proportions.

“I wanted it to look right, and it sort of came out where it was,” he says. “I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the actual size, but it needed to have the right accommodations and plenty of headroom. The only thing is I made a conscious effort to connect the cabins with the crew area forward, so I made a passage through the engine room that’s soundproofed; it allows you to walk through and see Athena ’s engines. It’s a great feature.”

What Clark could never have foreseen is how Athena would perform as a family boat, which she has ended up becoming. Clark married Australian model and TV personality Kristy Hinze in 2008 and together they have two children. “It’s turned into a very useful boat for children,” he says. “I have a little girl that’s not quite two and a girl that’s four, and on the main deck the side railings are really solid, so you never have to worry. And we put this netting along the poop deck. It’s now a pretty child-friendly boat. We spend a lot of time on board with the kids.”

As well as being the biggest build ever undertaken at Royal Huisman (a record that still stands), Athena was to be Wolter Huisman’s swan song. He died not long after her launch in July 2004. Alice Huisman remembers that her father was “very, very proud” and probably also partly relieved to see her on the water. Athena pushed his shipyard – and him – to the limit.

“As the length approached 90 metres, my father became more and more anxious about how much further he could extend the build hall,” says Huisman. “He even suggested to Jim that he consider another shipyard, but Jim not only knew exactly what he wanted, he also knew with whom he wanted to build it. He was very convincing!”

Clark calls Athena his “world travelling boat”, with three circumnavigations under her belt. “What better way to travel?” His love of scuba diving means itineraries have been dictated by what’s beneath the water. “I spent two one-month periods in Papua, which has some of the best diving in the world. We enjoyed diving in the Andamans. I’ve been in the Red Sea and out through there. In fact, I think we passed through about a week before that first notorious hijack [in 2009, of French yacht Tanit ].”

Such extensive cruising is off the table for the time being, with more domestic responsibilities taking priority (“I’ve got a child about to start kindergarten”), but the ambition is still there to explore remoter regions with his family. “I’d like them to get into that 12, 13, 14 age range and then they can be taught to scuba dive.”

Clark’s favourite memory associated with Athena is actually an underwater one. “It’s unquestionably doing underwater photography with my friend Louie Psihoyos. We worked together on the film The Cove , which I financed. We spent many, many hours on Athena doing underwater photography. I learned a lot from him and we came up with some phenomenal pictures.”

He’s got a few good above-water anecdotes, too. “I remember one of our first sails, overnight from Rangiroa in the Tuamotus. I had a bunch of fun movie people on board Athena — Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts, Griffin Dunne, Fisher Stevens. We were just screaming along downwind on a broach reach, heeled over easy 15 or maybe even 20 degrees. We were having so much fun in the protected aft area, dancing and listening to music. There’s a funny video of that. It was a memorable sail and went all night – we sailed all the way from Rangiroa to Bora Bora.

“Then there was a time in the Med. We had a big party with a bunch of friends in Positano, and in the late afternoon there you get a sea breeze that picks up and blows west to east and you can sail with a slight heel and be doing 12 knots. Sails like that are very nice because it doesn’t even feel like you’re moving. But you’re up on the netting on the bowsprit, looking down and the dolphins start chasing you. Those experiences are unique.”

With naval architecture and rig design from Dykstra Naval Architects , Athena was always going to be a performer, which Clark happily confirms – even if that performance is sometimes unexpected. “One time we were coming off the Turkish coast and the meltemi was blowing and the boat heeled over so far we got thrown out of bed!”

Despite Athena being for sale , Clark is still getting maximum use out of her. The day we speak, he is on board in Monaco, sitting in the bridge. “I tend to work here, at what you might otherwise call a chart table, although there are no charts any more.”

When not working, his favourite spot on board Athena is all the way aft, where there’s a large sunbed covered by an awning. “It’s fun to get under there, out of the breeze, and hang with the children and people and have laughs and drinks. There’s another spot on the upper deck, which is covered and probably one of the nicest spots on the boat.”

The reason she’s for sale is simply time. “I’ve got too many boats,” he says. “I’m particularly afflicted with this disease. I mean, good God, how many boats have I had? A 17 metre Baltic , a 27 metre Jongert , a 47 metre Frers , Hanuman , Athena , Comanche . I have a fishing boat, a 70 foot sport fisher. That’s enough boats but I have loved them all, one way or another. It just comes down to having too many irons in the fire.”

He reserves a special affection for Athena  — the biggest boat in his fleet — and if she was to sell tomorrow it would clearly be a painful parting. “I would miss all of her,” he says. And if she doesn’t sell? Well, there’s still a few destinations on his bucket list. “I never made it to Madagascar, and I understand there’s some incredible diving there. And I’ve never been to the Seychelles or South Africa.” Sounds like Athena territory.

First published in the August 2016 edition of Boat International

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THE BUILD... Athena was a repeat performance for Royal Huisman, having built the Frers designed Hyperion with Beeldsnijder styling in 1998 for Clark. As an experienced yachtsman, Clark wanted a classic sailing yacht that would inspire the senses. By combining old world charm with the luxury and amenities of a new-age motor yacht, Athena bestows a magical aura to all that behold her. The entire team worked closely to complete the interior and exterior styling, leaving Dijkstra to refine the hull, keel and rudder… an important element in optimizing the schooner’s sail rig plan. On deck, Dijkstra and Beeldsnijder joined forces to put form to function with a myriad of deck details that lend their origins to the golden age of sailing, from the lovely bow ornament that graces Athena's bowsprit to the classic, open-air Dutch wheel that guides her. Decorating the main decks is a plethora of custom Rondal equipment, which is set against an expanse of varnished teak cabin tops, seating areas and teak soles. The infinite deck areas are proportioned for intimate gatherings, but balanced with the equipment necessary to sustain sail. Dijkstra’s sail plan, deck lay-out, and classically inspired design influences all lend themselves to Athena’s character. Athena’s three masts harness some 2500 square meters of wind. Powering down, the uprights are complete with in-mast furling for the topsails, as well as in-boom furling for the skyscraping swing-arms. Over 50 Rondal hydraulic winches hold the sheets captive and permit speedy tacks under full sail. The sails can be set or stowed at the press of a button! Photo Caption: Athena has 25 Rondal reel winches and 25 Rondal drum winches, allowing automatic sail trimming for each of her 3 tapered Alustar masts. Each mast is equipped with in-boom furling, including the carbon fiber gaffs.

THE BUILD CONTINUED... Using Alustar plate mast construction, the tallest of Athena’s three masts is 62 meters in height. To give a sense of scale, the view from the Athena’s crow’s nest is much the same as peering over the top of a 20-story hi-rise. And similar to a building… Athena’s mast is equipped with a hydraulically operated elevator to transport those with a sense of adventure to the birds-eye view. Athena benefits from the use new alloys, such as Alustar, which is roughly 25% lighter than conventional aluminum. This is the basis for Athena’s hull and superstructure. When it comes to sailing, weight is crucial. Reducing the same is of fundamental importance, especially when building regatta-type boats, where a lighter boat means increased performance. One example of weight saving measures is Huisman’s innovation in lightweight, watertight door development, which is certain to be seen on future generations of their yachts. It took four years to build Athena and she was delivered three days ahead of schedule, demonstrating Royal Huisman’s complete understanding of the time involved in bringing a project of this scale to fruition. Huisman feels strongly responsible for every aspect of their builds. They prefer to do all manufacturing in-house, where they can control the entire production process, thus guaranteeing maximum quality for every level of detail. Everything necessary for the construction of their yachts is made under one roof, including aluminum and carbon masts, which they also build for other boatyards like Nautor Swan and Baltic. Photo Caption: Cruising speed is a by-product of sail area. There are three main masts; Fore, Main and Mizzen, with topsails filling out the upper masts. In addition, there are three jibs; Outer, Inner and Staysail. All together, they account for over 2600 square meters of sail power.

THE AWARDS... The Royal Dutch Corporation of Shipping Technicians recognized Athena in many categories. The receipt of this prestigious award is the first time that Royal Huisman Shipyard has been acknowledged by an organization that typically monitors the commercial shipping industry for innovation and technical achievement. Among a short list of specialty vessels that have achieved this recognition are the RORO carrier; a special espionage vessel for the French Nayy and purpose built carrier to transport modules of the Airbus A380 airplane. Athena was presented with the unusual designation of “pioneering”. The judging panel felt that Athena pioneered the following… 1. Sectional Large vessel construction in Alustar aluminum. 2. A high level of automation for sail handling. 3. Use of carbon fiber materials in conjunction with Alustar. 4. Sailing characteristics under large heeling angles for machinery (exhaust) 5. The development of the hull in conjunction with the Technical University in Delft, for the attention to hull speed, sea keeping ability and roll period. 6. Attention to noise and vibration. Taking into account the very high loads exerted through the hull by the three 61 meter masts, the execution of the construction and the fore/aft strength of the vessel were noted as well, in addition to build execution and innovation. The award also recognized the overall design and the level of finish for both exterior and interior workmanship. Because various Dutch contractors were utilized to develop and manufacture many of Athena’s components, the award also acknowledged the impact that Athena had on the entire Dutch yacht construction industry. Photo Caption: At 36 feet wide, she measures 89 meters from the bowsprit to the aft deck, but her waterline is only 61 meters in length. The overhangs of her bowsprit and fantail transom add significantly to the overall length of 289 feet.

THE YARD… Founded in 1884 and bestowed the Royal title in 1984 the shipyard has continued to remain at the forefront of modern yacht construction. Complete with both alloy and composite fabrication facilities, the combined companies of Royal Huisman Shipyard and Rondal provide a complete “under one roof” approach to custom yacht construction. Under fourth generation management, the shipyards Managing Director; Alice Huisman, remains committed to utilizing recent investments in machinery and work facilities for the 340 strong workforce. It was the personal goal of Wolter Huisman to ensure that each one of his employees was furnished the tools and machinery to allow them to further hone their skills and bring about the very best quality attainable. With much of the physical machinery and facilities now in place, Wolter's desire has become a reality and Royal Huisman is poised to increase their quality, while reducing the man hours needed to complete a vessel. Photo Caption: The face of Athena under the bowsprit? If this IS her face, then look at for that body! Athena’s gross weight (half-tank) is 1068 tons with a draft of 5.5 meters. This is relatively shallow for a sail boat of this magnitude, but 221 tons of ballast counter the leverage.

THE FACILITIES... Royal Huisman’s “under one roof” approach to yacht construction is evident at their 30,000 square meter facility. From the furniture hall to the adjoining Rondal factory for masts, hatches and deck equipment, the shipyard’s most recent investments are clearly present. In addition, substantial investments in software and machinery are in place, such as the Auto-Cad Inventor design software in parallel with the well established Ship-constructor fabrication software, which has been in use for some time. With an eye on expanding their advanced composites division, they have implemented a robotic 6 axis-milling machine has proven that the computer milling at a 1:1 scale of superstructures, steering stations, hatches, keels and other complex shapes has been a great step forward. Such accurate molding will allow the naval and styling architects from which the yard works with to be able to express their design ideas with greater freedom. Because the yachts that Royal Huisman produces are becoming increasingly larger and more complex, the company must continually refine their manufacturing skills by investing heavily in research and keeping up to date on the latest materials and techniques so their yachts remain on the cutting edge of today’s construction standards. In fact they have become so proficient at manufacturing such a diverse range of components, that if a particular part is not available from suppliers, they often produce it themselves Photo Caption: Although there is plenty of wind for this photo shoot, when the breeze brings you to your knees, twin Cat 3516B's, rated at 2000 horsepower (at 1600 rpm) take up the slack. Athena's top speed, under sail or power, is faster than most motoryachts! Suffice to say, her gas mileage is a bit better too.

ROYAL HUISMAN'S HISTORY… Royal Huisman's innovative ideas and top-notch engineering teams have resulted in the world's top designers and clients beholding Huisman’s slogan… "If you can dream it, we can build it". When the family started building wood work boats in Vollenhove, Holland, in 1884, the prime requirements were strength and seaworthiness to cope with the uncompromising conditions of northern Europe waters. That tradition has not been forgotten... however the building materials used today are quite different. The Royal Huisman Shipyard has brought lightweight components such as interiors made from foam-cored structures to an art form. Large yachts are complex. The highest levels of quality, craftsmanship and construction are meaningless if the operational systems do not match up. This is where Royal Huisman's fully integrated approach and in house disciplines strengthen the yard's reputation as one of the world's foremost yacht builders. The yard builds custom sailing and motor yachts with a length of 20-90 meters, as well as repair and refit work. Working with major suppliers and subcontractors, the yachts are built by a dedicated and well-trained permanent work force of over 330 employees. To maintain a competitive edge, modern construction facilities are constantly being updated. The shipyard's essential components are set in an ideal pattern: the offices and computer-aided design rooms, the main metalworking hall, the woodworking, machine and plasma shops, the assembly and staging areas and the 142,000 cubic meter paint hall, all center on the computer managed stock room for proper flow of work, materials and ideas. The new millennium has ushered in the completion of Royal Huisman's most ambitious expansion program that has seen a capital injection of some 10 million Euros. Bestowed the Royal title in 1984, the shipyards 7500 square meter expansion has provided a state of the art furniture factory and an 80 meter long construction hall. Equipping the personnel with new machinery and work facilities had always been the long-term personnel goal of Wolter Huisman. Photo Caption: Athena has an aft deck with some serious square footage. There are sun & shade lounges for both the main deck and top deck. If her overhangs and awnings don't supply enough shade, then her sails will supply the rest.

ROYAL HUISMAN'S HISTORY CONTINUED... With the passing of Wolter Huisman, the yard is now under the direction of Alice Huisman, who has worked in the yard along with her two sisters since she was 13 years old. And so the tradition and family lineage continues, just as Alice's great-grandfather passed the yard along to her father. Royal Huisman made wood boats when her father joined the yard, but by the 1950s, they were building steel boats. By the '70s the yard was building exclusively in aluminum, the perfect material for racing sailboats. And they built lots of them. Many would become famous yachts that sailed in round-the-world races and won. In the 1980s they began constructing cruisers with racing hulls that provided interior accommodations. In 1986, two years after the yard celebrated its 100th birthday and was given the designation "Royal" by the Netherlands' Queen Beatrix, in acknowledgment of Huisman’s contribution to the Dutch yacht building industry. This “Royal” Seal of Quality has only been given to 130 companies in Holland, which recognizes their importance and contribution to their country. Royal Huisman has produced a long series of the most notable sailing yachts in the world, including yachts such as Surama, Hyperion, Borkumriff IV, Maria Cattiva and the new Antares. These are among the many boats that continue to amaze for their technical accomplishments and their aesthetic appeal. Sailboats represent the majority of Royal Huisman’s builds, but they have also produced motoryachts. This is a sector they have recently begun to place more focus on. For example, the upcoming “Arcadia”, a 117’ Tony Castro designed long range motoryacht with a Dick Young interior, which is scheduled for delivery in April 2006 Photo Caption: THE NAME - Athena - the god of moral philosophy suggests that those on the right were moral and correct in their theories. Born from the head of Zeus, she was the Greek goddess of wisdom, battle, and craft.

THE YACHT: EXTERIOR DECKS... The remainder of this feature are deck and interior pictures with narratives only... Photo Caption: The Bridge Deck features a Portuguese-style pilothouse, which serves as a refuge from the open air navigation of the exterior ships wheel. Six wiper blades ensure ill-weather visibility along scalloped windows that match the swing of the wiper arms. Guests are treated to unlimited ocean air scents via split bench seating to port and starboard.

Photo Caption: Sheltered by stainless tube-frame with stretched and sewn canvass, the Dutch style wheel and compass pedestal stand prominently at center stage. What is unusual about this arrangement is… most sailing yachts have their wheels located aft. But of course, Athena IS an unusual yacht!

Photo Caption: The ship’s wheel embodies the spirit of the Athena and represents ALL that is traditional and much of what is right. Like so many of Athena’s components, it is engraved with her name and stands as a symbol to the era.

Photo Caption: Reflecting her level of detail in wood and metal, the compass is also engraved with her name. It’s ironic that a ship with so much digital automation would have something… so analogue!

Photo Caption: As the sun goes down and Athena's lights go up, the backlit display of the her compass glows with an amber warmth. Likewise, most of the ship's lighting systems are computer controlled to set a desired ambiance.

Photo Caption: A rising storage pedestal located on the aft upper deck gives way to this shade lounge. It also serves as a divider from one of three main propulsion systems… the aft mast. Most of Athena's lounges and seating double as a storage lockers, for stowing cushion and deck equipment. When guests tire of lounging, they can take a ride up the aft-mast elevator to the crow’s nest.

Photo Caption: The main deck strikes a balance of hard covered and canvas covered areas. In-deck drains mark the entrance to the bridge deck's aft covered area. If the side deck looks expansive, it's because one of the RIB's that normally occupy this deck position is MIA. Same for the port side too.

Photo Caption: Looking aft from the Bridge Deck conversation area, sofa seating and ottomans reside under protected cover. To the outboard edges of this picture, you can see the aft tender davits waiting to retrieve.

Photo Caption: Just aft of the hard covered conversation area is the exterior, al-fresco dining table. The table remains a permanent fixture of the aft deck, while folding chairs are utilized for easy stowage. The dining area is flanked by two staircases leading to the main deck, while Athena's Mizzen mast towers through the awning opening behind.

Photo Caption: Looking aft from the port navigation station, stainless stansions and varnished wood rails line the perimeter decks and every walkway. A symphony of support struts and wires create a vertical maze that boggles the mind.

Photo Caption: This is one of four main exterior staircases, two forward and two aft, that grant access between the bridge deck and the main deck. There is also a crew access ladder centrally located on the bow. Again, notice the rail-lined tables on deck. While they are certainly beautiful, those details will need lots of attention in the years to come.

Photo Caption: The depth of detail becomes more evident upon closer examination of the staircase hand rail. The Dutch are known for their excellent woodwork and Royal Huisman takes this legacy to another level.

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Inside Athena, The $53 Million Super Yacht

WebMD and Netscape founder Jim Clark is selling his magnificent yacht Athena. Apparently, he has too many boats to focus on that's why he's hoping another deserving individual would take Athena's reigns and treat her well.

You probably have to be a member of a country's royal family first or a multimillionaire CEO before you can afford this over-the-top yacht. Athena is one of the biggest yachts in the world, and her price tag is due to its excellent design and world-class facilities.

You can be rest assured that only the best of the best made Athena come to life, according to Boat International . She is the result of the collaboration of Pieter Beeldsnijder, who is responsible for the yacht's stylish exterior design; Dykstra Naval Architects for its unmatched naval architectural qualities; and the superb craftsmanship of the Royal Huisman yard.

You can invite 12 of your friends and sail smoothly in the open waters lavishly. At the end of your trip, you'll surely become popular. That is because Athena boasts of interior amenities partial to a 5-star luxury hotel, with its luxurious deck, a marble Jacuzzi tub, a wall-to-wall library, and five cabins with queen-sized beds and en-suite bathroom amenities. All of your friends will be scrambling to hang out with you.

But Athena is not just about design. With its major renovation in 2011, she's now powered by an ultra-modern touch-button technology. She's really fast too. Boat International described her as: "Athena is as fast as she is good looking."

"On deck 55 Rondal captive and drum winches allow lightning fast tacks under full sail while sails can be set and stowed at the press of a button or two. The tri-mast schooner rig by Rondal provides some 2,500 square metres of sail power and is complete with in-mast furling for the topsails and in boom furling for the carbon fibre gaffs. Under power, twin 3516B Caterpillar engines give her a cruising range of 4,000 nautical miles at 10 knots."

So, have any extra millions to spare? Athena cannot be sold on US waters. She's currently sailing in the Caribbean.

This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader

Iconic superyacht Athena back on the market for $70 million

Athena the luxury superyacht owned by internet billionaire Jim Clark has been put up for sale for $70 million. The iconic luxury schooner, featuring three masts that stretch 190-feet above the water, was one of the largest private sailing yachts when it was launched in 2004.

Clark has had the yacht giant on and off the market since 2012, but it seems recently to have been replaced by the 100-foot-long all carbon-fiber Comanche in the tycoon’s affection.

Athena has a range of 4000 nautical miles and is able to accommodate 12 guests in five luxury VIP cabins and 19 crew. Its large master suite features a separate study, walk-in-wardrobe and spa bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub. It was built by Royal Huisman and takes inspiration from the 1920s Krupp built motor yacht Talitha. Athena has a cruising speed of 14 knots and a maximum speed of 18 knots.

In July 2012 Athena was listed for sale at an asking price of $95 million. After no firm offers were received the price was reduced to $75 million in 2014. In the summer of 2014 the yacht was listed for charter in the South Pacific priced at $296,000.

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A Deal at $75 Million

• By Yachting Staff
• Updated: June 17, 2014

Royal Huisman sailing yacht Athena

Silicon Valley entrepreneur Jim Clark is known for a lot of things, including co-founding Netscape with a $5 million investment that reportedly brought him a return of $5 billion, but in yachting circles he’s renowned for creating one of the finest sailing yachts afloat. He spared no expense in building the 295-foot Royal Huisman Athena in 2004, and he has cruised aboard her extensively, garnering a weekly charter rate of about $350,000 when he’s not using the yacht.

When Clark originally listed Athena for sale in 2012, his asking price was $95 million — not too far off what venture capitalist Tom Perkins nabbed in 2009 (about $89 million) for the 289-foot Perini Navi Maltese Falcon .

Now, Clark has signed with Ocean Independence for the sale of Athena , and the asking price is $75 million.

That’s a price drop of about 20 percent, no doubt a nod to the overall slump the brokerage market has endured since the global economic recession began. Even still, it’s hard to put a price tag on such an iconic yacht; even today, a full decade after her launch, Athena is ranked among the five largest private sailing yachts in the world. Quite frankly, there are hardly any other yachts against which to compare her.

Ocean Independence is marketing Athena as being in perfect condition with new sails for good measure. She’s currently lying in the Mediterranean, and tours can be arranged for qualified buyers.

More details are at www.oceanindependence.com.

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Netscape founder’s $100m superyacht in St George’s

Netscape founder Jim Clark’s $100 million superyacht Athena has been turning heads in St George’s.The gleaming three-masted schooner is moored off Ordnance Island, arriving over the Easter holiday. She‘s on her way to the US East.At over 295 feet, Athena was the largest privately owned sailboat in the world until media mogul Barry Diller’s Bermuda-rigged schooner Eos knocked it off the number-one spot in 2006.Athena has three soaring 200-foot tall masts, said to compare with the height of a 20-storey high-rise. In fact, she’s equipped with a small elevator to take guests to the mast top to enjoy the view.According to reports, Clark, 68, celebrated his 2009 marriage to Australian model Kristy Hinze on the Athena in Virgin Gorda in the Caribbean.Clark made it back onto the Forbes Billionaires List this year after being wiped off in the 2008 financial crash.His fortune has grown to an estimated $1 billion thanks to bets on Apple and the most established social media companies.Forbes reported last month that Clark “voraciously” began buying into Apple in February 2009, when shares cost just under $100, they are now trading at over $600.The luxurious Athena is reported in yachting media to be a technological wonder.She’s said to have one of the best media lounges on the high seas, with thousands of DVDs in its film library and a 60-inch plasma screen, plus a system that monitors and provide up to 2,600 alarms for all the yacht’s technical features.She has her own divers’ decompression chamber on board; a galley decked out like a restaurant kitchen, a king-size sunbathing bed on the main deck, library, marble master bath and whirlpool tub. Toys on board include zodiacs, wakeboards, kitesurfing and scuba gear.She can luxuriously accommodate up to ten guests in her master cabin; three queen suites; and twin cabin.The master cabin is furthest aft on the superyacht and sits adjacent to the owner’s study.According to Forbes, Clark is now “spending his time on his yacht, Athena, writing code and programming all things Apple”.“After realising, beginning in 2009, that no company could compete with Apple’s jack-of-all-phones, Clark went on an Apple share-buying bonanza,” Forbes reported. “He also began shorting the stock of traditional handset manufacturers — among them Palm, whose operating system he calls ‘a relative toy’.”He shorted Blackberry, Nokia, Erisson and Motorola as well.Forbes said Clark expects Apple to hit a market capitalisation of $1 trillion within the next three years, citing the large population of the world that Apple is just starting to sell to, including China.And, “He’s invested $40 million in Facebook and $30 million in Twitter, though he calls the latter a much riskier bet because it hasn’t found a way to monetise their operations.”When Clark is not at her helm, Athena is a top charter yacht, cruising the Caribbean, South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia in the summer and winter seasons.But that’ll cost you around $300,000 a week!Athena was built in 2004 by Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman. With Alustar hull and superstructure, her naval architects are Pieter Beeldsnijder and Dykstra & Partners, while she features exterior design by Pieter Beeldsnijder, and the interior work of Rebecca Bradley.She flies the Cayman Islands flag.

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LIVING THE LIFE WITH JIM CLARK

Serial entrepreneur and superyacht builder Jim Clark isn’t a bad person to talk to if you’re looking for insights into the art of truly living…

Article by Jill Bobrow for The Superyacht Life Magazine (71 Percent, issue 2, 2015): read full text below. Captions of above page 1: world beater Jim Clark aboard his globe-trotting, trend-setting megayacht Athena. Page 2: the romance of boats Clark’s ‘starter yacht’ Hyperion ; together with wife Kristy Hinze and daughter Dylan. Page 3:  a different rhythm Clark with Ben Stiller at the New York premiere of The Cove in 2009; with wife Kristy Hinze for a rare night in the spotlight in Sydney in 2010.

Defining art is an elusive proposition. Identifying an artist is a bit easier. An artist is a person who does not fit the status quo, someone who sees what we don’t see and who views the world from his or her own unique perspective. Society both hates and loves an artist. Artists are often individuals who don’t tow the line, who don’t fit into the cultural norm, and who are simply not conventional. Artists open us up to new ideas, whether it is fashion, fine art, architecture, or even new technology.

Guys like Jim Clark are part of what keeps society evolving and growing. Clark may not be an artist in the classic sense – he’s not a painter or a sculptor. He’s a science geek whose life’s work has been a trajectory of creativity and ‘out of the box’ thinking. Like an artist, Clark lives his life in a certain manner as a result of the way he sees things. That life has evolved from rebellious teenager to engaged student to physicist to computer scientist to teacher to inventor to high-tech entrepreneur to businessman to yacht designer to philanthropist to dedicated family man.

“hopefully I am not the narrow engineer I once was”

Tall, with tousled golden hair and a disarming smile, Clark is a 70 year old who looks and acts younger than his years – a veritable Peter Pan who exudes a youthful enthusiasm for myriad subjects. The quintessential selfmade man, Clark was a high-school dropout who ran off to the navy at 17, eventually working his way through correspondence courses and university to attain PhDs in physics and computer science.

Jim Clark at the helm of his J-class Hanuman, the modern recreation of Endeavour II

Famous as the founder of Netscape Navigator, Silicon Graphics, myCFO, and Healtheon/WebMD, as well as being the investing founder of Shutterfly, Clark also developed the 3D computer imagery that enabled Spielberg to create the special effects in Jurassic Park . In 1999, four years after launching the first mass-market browser for the World Wide Web with Marc Andreessen, Clark and Andreessen sold Netscape to America Online and reaped several billions. Business begets business,  and Clark, a serial entrepreneur, continued to work on new projects while making astute and timely investments in Apple, Facebook and Twitter.

The common thread through all this has been Clark’s ability to see things in new ways. Today, he says, “I am no longer connected to the core of what is happening in Silicon Valley, nor do I fit in any more.” Yet, he is still active in computer science and in developing new software. It’s in his DNA to explore new concepts. Conversing with Clark about his conceptual work can be a bit daunting, so much so that one wonders if sometimes people are intimidated by trying to make conversation with him at social functions. He responds with a story about how – on the contrary – he has felt out of his element on various occasions. There was a dinner party at the home of Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols… “I gave Diane and Mike a lift on my plane to London years ago,” Clark says. “Later, they invited me to stay at their home in Martha’s Vineyard. At dinner, there were several notable people at the table including Carly Simon. Among the guests was a venerated writer who everyone knew except me. I had never heard of any of his books. I could not contribute to the animated conversation and felt a bit out of my depth. The author was William Styron. I rarely read works of fiction, but later I made a point of reading The Confessions of Nat Turner . I thought it stunningly well done, so I proceeded to read other Styron books. Years later, I ran into Diane and Mike aboard Larry Ellison’s boat and told them how I had finally read Styron and would love to chat with him. They encouraged me to come back to the Vineyard and they would arrange another meeting. Time went by and I never made it back. Then Styron passed away. It was a lost opportunity.”

Jim Clark is a man who has made an art of not missing opportunities. His ability to sense what the next hot thing will be in technology, computer science and related businesses has made him famous and wealthy. Michael Lewis’s best-selling book The New New Thing: A Silicon Valley Story , published in 1999, focused on Clark, the internet boom and, to some degree, on the sailing yacht Clark was building at the time – the revolutionary Hyperion . Clark was very much involved in the concept and technology of this 47m cutter-rigged sloop, built in the Netherlands. Designed to operate with the assistance of 28 computers, this yachting tour de force was not only beautiful but sailed well enough to win first place in the 2001 Millennium Cup in New Zealand. A ‘starter yacht’, Hyperion was sold by Clark and he was on to the next new thing. In the past dozen years or so, he has conceived and built three more extraordinary yachts.

Clark dislikes the word ‘yacht’ himself. “I think the word has a snobby connotation,” he says. “I prefer to think of them as boats.” His next two boats were the 90m Athena and the 42.1m J-Class Hanuman . As with Hyperion before her, Athena was a first. Launched in 2005, She led the trend for mega-sailing yachts. “She was an exercise in aesthetics and practicality,” Clark says. “I wanted a sizable yacht to sail around the world. I am tall, so I need lots of standing headroom and wanted two decks with lots of living space.” He spent six to seven years sailing her extensively. He loved being able to share his boat with others, taking friends such as Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts and Fisher Stevens on unique, exotic sailing trips.

“I think the word yacht has a snobby connotation. I prefer to think of them as boats”

At the same time he was sailing Athena , Clark became fascinated with the romance of building and owning a J-Class yacht – and saw an opportunity to do it his way. In 2009, Hanuman , an exquisite modern classic was launched. This sleek needle of a yacht is as fine a specimen of its type as one can find afloat, albeit that there are only seven J-Class yachts in the world. After Hanuman , however, Clark opted to retire from “playing in the J-Class racing circuit” – a game with rules, stipulations and internal politics. Clark doesn’t like rules. He put out a challenge to the other J-Class owners, suggesting they each commit to putting up a similar amount of money for sea conservation or their favourite charity as they put into their individual races. There were no takers.

Clark’s most recent state-of-the-art yacht is the 30m Comanche . Launched last September in the US, she is an all-carbon-fibre ocean racer – a very sexy machine. “My goal in building her was to build the fastest, most high-tech boat possible,” he confesses. Comanche has already competed in the likes of the Rolex Sydney Hobart race, but without Clark aboard. These days, he prefers to partake from the comfort of his sofa on his iPad, utilising software he invented. “I wrote a vital robust operating system for the boat,” he says. A few years ago, Clark told the Wall Street Journal that he was putting Athena and Hanuman on the market because he was venturing into a new phase of his life, one that corresponds with his six-year marriage to Australian model and TV hostess Kristy Hinze. With two small children at home – a three year old and a new baby – Clark is much more land-based these days. However, if Athena does not sell for his price, he does not discount the idea of taking his young daughters sailing when they are at the appropriate age to benefit from travelling to places he loves to visit such as Tahiti and New Guinea.

“As I get older, I am trying to be more conscientious about what I do”

But for now, Clark’s sweet spot is home sweet home. He has moved on from his edgy, workaholic years and now enjoys living life at his own relaxed rhythm. “I get up at 4am and programme around on my computer until Kristy texts me that the kids are up,” he says. “At around 7.30am I join her in the nursery and help get Dylan ready for pre-school. I also spend time with baby Harper. Next, I work out, and after that I have breakfast around 10.30. Then I delve into some work projects until late afternoon.” Clark knocks off early for quiet time with a civilised glass of wine and then he engages in more family time – his nighttime ritual of reading to Dylan is a priority. He and Hinze enjoy evenings with good friends although, for the most part, Clark says, he is usually in bed early.

Money does not particularly motivate him, though he admits it is handy to support his lifestyle. He has a beautiful home in Palm Beach, a horse farm elsewhere in Florida, a house in New York state on the border with Connecticut and is renovating a townhouse in New York City. He flies privately, has a hearty wine cellar and enjoys a vast art collection including paintings by Matisse, Picasso, Manet and Lautrec. He does not collect for the sake of collecting – his artwork is on his walls to enjoy, his wine is for drinking and entertaining others. “I believe it is really important to have an appreciation for art and for the humanities as well as science,” he says, before harking back to the William Styron story and adding, “Hopefully I am not the narrow engineer I once was.” Today, Clark sees himself as being in a new phase of his life. “As I get older, I am trying to be more conscientious about what I am trying to do and what I do,” he says. It was this that motivated him to become one of the backers for the Academy Award-winning documentary film The Cove , a vivid exposé of dolphin-hunting practices in Japan. He has also made the largest donation to Stanford University since its founding. Together, Clark and Hinze are very involved in animal rights as well as nature organisations. “We all have a responsibility to do our part,” he says. While he admits to expending more than his fair share of fossil fuels, he also works hard to offset his carbon footprint.

Clark is explicitly concerned about the health of the world and about the long-lasting effects of climate change. “There are fools out there claiming that global warming is a hoax. That is absolutely crazy,” he says. “There is no question that human activity is responsible for the emission of most greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. What motivation would pure scientists and Nobel-prize winners have for spreading falsehood? I am incredulous that politicians and businessmen deny the scientific facts and skew the data to justify their financial agendas.”

“Be as humble as you can be. You are never as great as people say you are, and you are never as bad as they say you are”

Asked what legacy he would like to leave his children, aside from a healthy planet, Clark is quick to answer. “I want to impart to them a passion for knowledge,” he says. “I want them to learn as much as possible and use it to good purposes. I also want them to have a special appreciation for and love of nature.” As for his personal perspective on the art of living, Clark is characteristically clear in his conclusion. “Be as humble as you can be,” he says. “You are never as great as people say you are, and you are never as bad as they say you are.”

The marine environment:  playing our part

Sailors have a strong affinity with the oceans and few can fail to be concerned about the steady degradation of the ocean environment. Many superyacht sailors not only care a great deal about the oceans but are seeking to use their influence and resources to counter the threats. Learn more  on this website: news > inhuis stories and updates  [link]

Netscape Founder Jim Clark Is Settling Down With His Swimsuit Model Wife And Selling His Sailing Yachts For $113 Million

After nearly 30 years on the high seas, Netscape founder Jim Clark is calling it quits. The 68-year-old billionaire is selling his two amazing sailing yachts for a combined $113 million , Forbes' Ryan Mac reports.

He wrote to Forbes in an email that he's “been around the world twice and really don’t like the [Mediterranean-Caribbean] circuit. After 28 years of owning boats, I’m over it.”

The boats, 136-foot Hanuman and 295-foot Athena , will hit the market for $18 million and $95 million, respectively. Athena is the fourth-largest sailing yacht in the world.

Both were made by Royal Huisman, a Netherlands-based custom shipyard.

Clark told Forbes he planned to settle down in his new home in New York with his 8-month-old daughter and wife, former Australian model Kristy Hinze. He recently listed his swanky Miami penthouse for $27 million .

First let's take a look at Athena. The fourth largest sailing yacht in the world, she's listed at $95 million.

She was delivered in 2004 after being built in the Netherlands. Construction took four years.

But if that's not new enough, she underwent a complete refit last year.

The interior is done in a lightly stained Mahogany.

And is as luxurious as a penthouse apartment.

There are several bedrooms on board the ship.

A dining room set for a billionaire.

And an industrial kitchen equipped to feed dozens.

The control room is completely computerized and state-of-the-art.

Stairs lead to the various decks.

This looks like a nice place to lounge.

But some people are more adventurous.

Now let's go on board Hanuman.

The J-Class yacht, a replica of a 1930s-style boat, is listed at $18 million.

Like Athena, the interior is rich wood.

But the bedrooms are somewhat lighter.

This boat also has the most sophisticated equipment available.

And a fancy--if somewhat smaller--dining room.

She's also quite new, having been delivered in 2009.

Look what else Jim Clark is selling.

Billionaire Netscape Founder Jim Clark's Miami Penthouse Is For Sale At $27 Million >

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Women’s America’s Cup British Team: Athena Pathway

Hannah Mills’ British all-female team, Athena Pathway, are competing in the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup. Here’s everything you need to know about the team…

Team profile.

Nationality: Great Britain

Representing: Royal Yacht Squadron  

Key Sailors: Hannah Mills (OBE), Saskia Clark, Hannah Diamond, Anna Burnet, Ellie Aldridge, Saskia Tidey, Freya Black 

About Athena Pathway 

In 2022, Olympic champions Hannah Mills and Ben Ainslie co-founded the Athena Pathway Team to increase diversity in sailing and fast-track promising sailors. More than 300 athletes applied, with just 7 being selected to race in the AC40 boat for the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup. This boat reunites Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark since winning their Olympic gold (470 class) in Rio 2016, and the team is packed with world class talent, including Freya Black, aged just 22, who recently won Bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Ellie Aldridge , the first ever female gold medalist for Kitesurfing (Paris 2024). 

Athena Pathway Helm: About Hannah Mills (OBE)

• Most successful female Olympic sailing medalist
• Strategist (F50) to the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team
• Leading the British Youth and America’s Cup campaign

About the Puig Women’s America’s Cup

The America’s Cup has a rich 173 year history, but this year, in Barcelona, is the first time it has included a regatta for all-female crews. They will be racing in the spotlight between the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup matches – learn more about the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, the teams and key dates . 

Dates & How to Watch 

The Puig Women’s America’s Cup is free to watch on land, water and screen ! The qualification series runs from 5th-9th October, with the Final Series taking place on 11th October, leading to the Match Race Final on 13th October. So whether you’re able to get out there to watch the action first hand, or are tuning in from across the world, you won’t miss a thing. Race days start at 2pm (14:00 CEST) and continue until 4:30-5pm depending on the schedule – Watch racing online for free .

More on the America’s Cup

• Puig Women’s America’s Cup: All-Female Crews Take Centre Stage
• 37th America’s Cup: Key Info, Dates & How to Watch
• America’s Cup Boats: What it’s like helming an AC75

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Southampton Boat Show: 2024 Highlights & Round-up

Puig Women’s America’s Cup: All-Female Crews Take Centre Stage

Emirates Team New Zealand: America’s Cup Defender Profile

Offering a wealth of practical advice and a dynamic mix of in-depth boat, gear and equipment news, Sailing Today is written cover to cover by sailors, for sailors. Since its launch in 1997, the magazine has sealed its reputation for essential sailing information and advice.

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50th anniversary of the tragic death of Jim Clark

Today (7th April) is the 50th anniversary of the tragic death of Jim Clark in a Formula 2 race at Hockenheim. The Scotsman won two F1 World Drivers' Championships, 25 Grand Prix victories from 72 starts, and the 1965 Indy 500. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time; a legend that was revered by fans and rivals alike.

- F1 GP debut at Zandvoort in 1960 -

 The first race of a legendary Formula One career; Jim Clark makes his debut for Lotus in the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. He qualified 11th and retired with transmission problems.

- First win at 1962 Belgian GP (on the way to 2nd in WDC) - 

Jim Clark won his first Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps in 1962 in the famous Lotus 25 (it was also the 25's first victory). He went on to win the British and US Grand Prix that year on his way to second in the World Championship behind Graham Hill.

- 1963 WDC - winning 7 out of 10 races -

Jim Clark won his first World Championship in 1963, winning an incredible seven races out of ten for the Lotus team in the third most dominant season of any driver ever. He is pictured here at Monza having won the Italian Grand Prix and clinched the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship (for Lotus).

- 1965 WDC - winning 6 out of 9 races entered (skipped Monaco for Indy 500), Indy 500 victory 

In 1965, Jim Clark won his second World Championship for Lotus, winning six out of the ten races - though he only competed in nine, skipping Monaco to race in the Indy 500. Clark also won the 500 becoming the only driver to win both the F1 World Drivers' Championship and the Indy 500 in the same year.

- Last F1 win - 1968 South African Grand Prix, 25 wins in 73 races is the 3rd highest winning percentage of all-time (behind only Fangio and Ascari), 33 pole positions equals second best percentage behind only Fangio - 

 Jim Clark's 25th and final Grand Prix victory was at the opening round of the 1968 season, the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.

- Death at Hockenheim on 7 April, 1968 -

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With its strong premise, a couple of fine performances and highly polished tooling, "The Jackal" scores as an involving high-tech thriller that occasionally hits peaks of pulsating excitement. Proficient without being genuinely inspired, and sometimes far-fetched in its plotting, this exceedingly lavish updating of a well-known novel and film stands as a solidly commercial male-oriented suspenser that, aside from two sci-fi epics, has the adult action field pretty much to itself from mid-November until the new James Bond opens a month later. International prospects could be even stronger. Based officially on Kenneth Ross' screenplay for the late Fred Zinnemann's fine 1973 film "The Day of the Jackal" (and, through the absence of any mention in the credits, pointedly not on Frederick Forsyth's bestselling novel), Chuck Pfarrer's adaptation takes the central character, that of an ice-cold, perfectionist professional assassin preparing for an elaborate political killing, and positions it with adequate plausibility in a contemporary context.

By Todd McCarthy

Todd McCarthy

• Remember Me 15 years ago
• Shutter Island 15 years ago
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With its strong premise, a couple of fine performances and highly polished tooling, “The Jackal” scores as an involving high-tech thriller that occasionally hits peaks of pulsating excitement. Proficient without being genuinely inspired, and sometimes far-fetched in its plotting, this exceedingly lavish updating of a well-known novel and film stands as a solidly commercial male-oriented suspenser that, aside from two sci-fi epics, has the adult action field pretty much to itself from mid-November until the new James Bond opens a month later. International prospects could be even stronger.

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Based officially on Kenneth Ross’ screenplay for the late Fred Zinnemann’s fine 1973 film “The Day of the Jackal” (and, through the absence of any mention in the credits, pointedly not on Frederick Forsyth’s bestselling novel), Chuck Pfarrer’s adaptation takes the central character, that of an ice-cold, perfectionist professional assassin preparing for an elaborate political killing, and positions it with adequate plausibility in a contemporary context.

Popular on Variety

Original novel and film dealt with an attempt on Charles De Gaulle’s life instigated by disaffected army reactionaries. Current outing opens in the new Moscow, where FBI deputy director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier) joins with the Russians, led by intelligence officer Valentina Koslova (Diane Venora), in storming into a disco and nailing an important figure in the Russian Mafia.

In response, the criminal’s even more powerful brother declares war on the FBI and immediately hires the Jackal (Bruce Willis) to take out an unidentified top American political figure. The firm, calculated way the Jackal sets the terms of his employment says everything the audience needs to know about this cool customer: He demands $70 million for his services, will operate entirely alone, and will disappear forever upon completion of the job.

The Jackal’s solitary ways, skill with disguises and utter perfectionism make him exceedingly difficult to identify, much less to track, which forces the FBI to desperate measures when it learns that the assassin is probably gunning for the director of the FBI. The only people known to the agency who may actually have met the Jackal are a former Basque terrorist, Isabella (Mathilda May), now living quietly in Virginia, and IRA operative Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere), Isabella’s former lover, now serving a long prison sentence in the U.S.

Initially balky, the Irishman is persuaded to help the American authorities, in part due to promises of future leniency and perhaps a bit due to the unstated but pronounced resemblance of Valentina, with whom he will be working closely, to Isabella.

As Declan gives Preston and Valentina whatever tips he can about the Jackal’s likely m.o., the predator himself methodically goes about the business of preparing his ambitious and intricate plan. Changing his look at every stop, the Jackal expands his array of phony passports in London, and in Quebec orders a custom-made computerized system with which to operate the enormous Gatling gun he will employ on his deadly mission.

Main body of the picture crosscuts between the stealthy activities of the Jackal as he moves ever closer to his prey in Washington, D.C., and the more anxious maneuvers of the FBI-Irish-Russian team. On balance, the former prove the more intriguing, in part because of the inevitable fascination that surrounds an implacable, diabolical criminal, and also due to Willis’ first-class work. The Jackal turns out to be an excellent role for the actor, who suggests an enormous store of implied menace, certitude and skill through astutely judged minimalist means.

Although Willis soft-pedals the thespian aspects of his various impersonations, he does have some fun with a few scenes. Most surprising and humorous is his cruising in a D.C. gay bar and kissing of a clean-cut pickup (Stephen Spinella), the relevance of which comes clear only much later.

The film’s above-the-title star power burns brightest when the Jackal and Declan come face to face for the first time; Willis’ and Gere’s stares and body language do virtually all the talking before the guns start blazing in the Chicago yacht harbor. The Jackal manages to elude the government’s net this time and he proceeds with his plan, but he knows from this point on that he’s being hunted, which inevitably affects his behavior and increases the chances that he’ll slip up.

Pic has not one but two action climaxes, one at the very public assassination site and a subsequent chase and shootout in the Washington subway. Director Michael Caton-Jones handles all the physical incident and gradual noose-tightening quite capably, even if most of the moves have been seen before and lack any real invention or originality. The film’s sporadic attempts to be stylistically edgy — the jagged “Seven”-ish opening credits, the spurts of aggressively metallic music — come off as affected, and there is a tag-along quality to much of what Gere is required to do that diminishes the interest in, and force of, his role.

Gere was clearly an odd choice to play an Irishman, and there are certainly any number of actors out there who would have been more plausible in the role. But this actually reps one of Gere’s least preening and self-absorbed performances, and he is not obliged to carry the film entirely on his shoulders.

Poitier is a pleasure to watch, but the film’s real standout performance comes from Venora. No-nonsense in a Russian military manner and sounding like Greta Garbo in “Ninotchka,” her Valentina has obviously survived many battles and shows unmentioned evidence of it in the disfiguring scars on the side of her face. The actress invests her character with courage, smarts and a force of will that prevails over her seen-it-all world-weariness, and the film comes most alive when she is taking an active role in the drama.

Location lensing in Moscow, Helsinki, London, Montreal and environs, Chicago, the Washington-Virginia area and the Carolinas provides the film with an enormous and colorful backdrop enhanced by Karl Walter Lindenlaub’s excellent widescreen lensing and Michael White’s varied and detailed production design. Willis’ disguises are amusing, and Jim Clark’s editing moves the action along at a fine clip.

• Production: A Universal release of a Mutual Film Co. presentation of an Alphaville production. Produced by James Jacks, Sean Daniel, Michael Caton-Jones, Kevin Jarre. Executive producers, Terence Clegg, Hal Lieberman, Gary Levinsohn, Mark Gordon. Directed by Michael Caton-Jones. Screenplay and screen story, Chuck Pfarrer, based on the motion picture screenplay "The Day of the Jackal" by Kenneth Ross.
• With: The Jackal - Bruce Willis Declan Mulqueen - Richard Gere Cater Preston - Sidney Poitier Valentina Koslova - Diane Venora The First Lady - Tess Harper Witherspoon - J.K. Simmons Isabella - Mathilda May Douglas - Stephen Spinella McMurphy - Richard Lineback Lamont - Jack Black Donald Brown - John Cunningham Terek Murad - David Hayman George Decker - Steve Bassett Ghazzi Murad - Ravil Isyanov Beaufres - Serge Houde Camera (Deluxe color, Panavision widescreen), Karl Walter Lindenlaub; editor, Jim Clark; music, Carter Burwell; production design, Michael White; art direction, Ricky Eyres, John Fenner; set decoration, Kate Sullivan; costume design, Albert Wolsky; sound (DTS), David John; special visual effects, Illusion Arts, Syd Dutton, Bill Taylor; assistant director, Bill Westley. Casting, Ellen Chenoweth. Reviewed at Universal Studios, Universal City, Nov. 4, 1997. MPAA Rating: R. Running time: 124 MIN.

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