By Ian Grant.
Australian ocean racing history will again be challenged when the Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet set sail over the physically demanding 628 n/ml rhumbline on Boxing Day.
The fleet of 90 entrants represent the best of the best including the 2010 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week champion the Michael Hiatt skippered Living Doll and Steven Ainsworth’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week and overall 2010 Audi Australian IRC Champion Loki.
Both crews who were the star performers on the warm tropical waters are expecting to face another physical test of tactical skill and endurance to log the fastest corrected handicap on the cold and inhospitable Tasman Sea the notorious Storm Bay and the unpredictable River Derwent.
Every nautical mile from the start in a crowded Sydney Harbour to the finish line off Battery Point presents many hidden challenges and a high work rate of sail changing and tactical strategy.
The expected forecast of a freshening sea breeze will allow the fleet to set spinnakers when they weather South Head which will suit the Whitsunday Sailing Club skipper Leo Rodriguez and the crew of Merit in their bid to win the Performance Handicap class trophy.
Merit now 13 years old and originally built to contest the Volvo Race around the world won the trophy in 2008 and will be a front runner if the fresh North East wind provides a fast sailing past Gabo Island across Bass Strait and along the Tasmanian East Coast.
A forecast of moderate to strong wind and a wave surfing seaway will also provide Bob Oatley’s Mark Richards helmed Hamilton Island Yacht Club registered Wild Oats Xl with a perfect chance to challenge their existing 1 day 18 hour 40 minute 10 second record set in 2005.
Wild Oats Xl which predictably won the fastest time trophy in the inaugural Super Yacht series at Hamilton Island in August has been recently modified and her skipper Mark Richards believes the super fast Maxi is capable of improving on her record breaking 14.72 knot average.
Mark Richards firmly believes race records are made to be broken but to better an average of 14.72 knots over the 628 nautical mile course presents his crew of experienced sailors with a supreme test of individual skill to keep the big maxi tracking on the fast lane without recording any time consuming damage to the hull, spars, sails and running rigging.
Meanwhile Wild Oats X1 remains as a short priced favourite to win her fifth line honours trophy while the slower and much older Merit will have her Whitsunday cheer squad following their progress on the official yacht tracker.
Seven sport will telecast the start following the action documentary celebrating Queensland’s Year of Sail including the highlights from the Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island Race Weeks.