WINNING SKIPPER CAN ENJOY A CHRISTMAS DINNER WITH SANTA

by Georgie Brown on 25 Dec 2000 When Santa visits The Business, the winning Sydney 38 in the Telstra Cup, owner skipper Vaughan Stibbard will enjoy a guilt-free Christmas dinner aboard with his family. He will also be sure in the knowledge that has plenty of time to prepare his boat for the 226nm Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race north, and lose all-important weight.

Stibbard's weight and that of the rest of his crew is important because under the rules of, the Sydney 38's One Design class rule, a maximum overall crew weight of 820kgs, with nine crew being the average.

The Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race used to start the day after the Sydney to Hobart on December 27. Last year, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club changed the date to January 2 to allow skippers and crew time to enjoy the millennium celebrations with their families. A spin-off was opportunity for skippers and crew to enjoy a relaxed Christmas dinner and Boxing Day with their families.

It proved to be a popular decision with 102 boats entering, just six short of the record.

This year the Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race has been acknowledged at the East Coast's major race with record 112 boats entered. The previous record of 108 boats set at the 10th anniversary in 1991.

The Business is one of five Sydney 38s competing in the Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race in the IRC Division. Its competition will be rivals from the Telstra Cup, third place winner Blowfly,(Barry Moore) Obsession (Michael Jones) ( (4th), The Big Picture (Anthony Hooper) (5th), Yeah Baby(Rob McMillan) and Tazzie 2(Jeff Cavanaugh) and Advantage Mortgage (Matt Wenke).

While the boats will race with the fleet, there will nevertheless be some tough individual competition between the five owners, with all five boats racing under identical design and weight restrictions.

The race from Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race is one in a five race series. While many boats chose to do only the long race to Coffs Harbour, Stibbard and his fellow Sydney 38 owners will participate in the Regatta-style off-shore races at Pittwater on (Friday Jan. 29 and 30) and at Coffs Harbour (Friday January 5 and 6)

For more details on Santa's visit to The Business Phone: Vaughan Stibbhard on 0412 975 932

For further information: Georgie Brown 0408 519 792