October 7, 2024
INVESTEC LOYAL (Photo by Daniel Forster)
INVESTEC LOYAL (Photo by Daniel Forster)

The serious countdown to the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has officially begun, with the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge taking place on Sydney Harbour today.
The SOLAS Big Boat Challenge is traditionally one of the busier days on the Harbour for spectator vessels. This year the 15 or so entrants, ranging in size from 100 foot super maxis to 50 foot grand prix racers can expect less traffic around them, but a ton of on board action.
“It’ll be an exciting race,” said Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards yesterday as he and Wild Oats XI’s race crew were preparing to don wet weather gear and complete a practice run around the 14 nautical mile SOLAS Big Boat Challenge track, which today takes them two and a half times around Sydney Harbour to the finish off the Opera House.
For the sailing novices on Anthony Bell’s 100 foot INVESTEC LOYAL, today’s challenge will provide some insight into what might be around the corner come Boxing Day. Olympic wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley, Roosters five-eighth Anthony Minichiello and Channel 9’s Karl Stefanovic will taste plenty of salt water and better understand the rigours of ocean racing when they join rugby legends and past participants, Phil Waugh and Phil Kearns, and the rest of the professional race crew for today’s SOLAS Big Boat Challenge. Former racing great and record breaking winner Neville Crichton will also join Anthony Bell’s loyal for SOLAS big boat race.
Peter Millard, co-owner of the 98 foot Lahana arrived back on a flight from the US yesterday and when told of today’s forecast, said, “Then we definitely need to go out training today.”
Two of Lahana’s 21-strong crew have flown in from Europe and a handful more have arrived from interstate to take part in the annual Harbour spectacle, with the largest yachts in town preparing for the 12.30pm start off Steele Point, Vaucluse.
“It’ll be good to have testing conditions today, but we won’t be taking any risks that might put a speed bump in our Rolex Sydney Hobart preparations,” said Millard. “We want to see a lot of pressure today and for the great race. We’re hoping for a southerly all the way to Hobart.”
Making her Australian debut in the race will be Victorian Rob Hanna’s recent acquisition, theTP52 Shogun. Hanna purchased the near-new former Audi Azzurra from Europe, where it has been successfully competing on the MedCup circuit. Hanna’s main intention is to beat the other Australian ownedTP52’s at major events, including Marcus Blackmore’s Hooligan, which is also contesting the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge.

 

List of Entries

10000BRINDABELLAJimCooneyJutson 801.4100
ESP6100DUENDEDamienParkesIMS 521.2900
5980FUTURE SHOCKCraigEllisElliott 571.3500
601GINGERLeslieGreenSwan 601.3769
AUS521HOOLIGANMarcusBlackmoreTP521.382
SYD100INVESTEC LOYALAnthonyBellElliott 1001.911
10081LAHANAMillard/HonanBakewell White 30m1.683
AUS60000LOKIStephenAinsworthReichel Pugh 631.517
SM11SCARLET RUNNERRobertDateRP 521.363
AUS280SHOGUN VRobertHannaTP521.383
NOR2SOUTHERN EXCELLENCEAndrewWenhamVolvo 601.3200
AUS21SPIRITGraemeWilsonIACC1.3658
SM24TERRA FIRMANicholasBartelsCookson 501.327
10001WILD OATS XIRobertOatleyReichel Pugh 1001.954
M10WILD THINGGrantWharingtonJones 98 Maxi1.805

To view the course maps go to http://www.cyca.com.au/editorial.asp?key=760

By Lisa Ratcliff/CYCA media

error: Content is protected !!