85 Boats Set to Start in
Sydney to Hobart Classic

It was reported today that a fleet of 85 boats, from 98-foot maxis to little more than a 30-foot dinghy, would contest the sea classic which starts in Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day.
Recently-lauched super maxis Alfa Romeo and Wild Oats XI are hoping for a good downwind passage to Tasmania. In 1999, the water-ballasted Nokia won line honors with a race record of 1 day, 19 hours, 48 minutes and 2 seconds. Previous to that, the record had stood at 2 days, 14 hours, 7 minutes, 10 seconds set by Morning Glory in 1996.
Last year's line honors winner, Nicorette, now renamed AAPT, is undergoing modifications and skipper Sean Langman is hoping it will be back in the water before the week ends.
Overseas entries this year include Chieftain from Ireland, Conergy from Germany, and Hugo Boss from Great Britain.
(Photo: Wild Oats XI in Sydney Harbour during this month's Rolex Trophy series which finished at the weekend. © Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex)