International Focus on 57th Sydney to Hobart race.

by Peter Campbell on 27 Sep 2001 This year’s 57th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race will be the centre of international focus with the Volvo Ocean Race fleet joining an expected line-up of
between 80 and 90 Australian and overseas yachts sailing south on Boxing Day, December 26.

For the Volvo Ocean 60s, the 630 nautical mile dash will be one of the shortest but toughest legs of their 32,700 nautical mile race around the world. After
a 'pit stop' in Hobart they will continue their TransTasman leg to Auckland.

For the rest of the fleet, including several other overseas yachts, the Sydney to Hobart Race will again be the highlight of the summer ocean racing
season in Australia, the climax of a month of spectacular regatta racing in Sydney through December.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia today announced that the Notice of Race for the 57th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race would be available within a week.

'We already have firm commitments from several overseas big boats to do battle with our local maxis, as well as a strong line-up, including several
newly-launched boats, for the IMS, IRC and PHS handicap divisions,' CYCA Vice Commodore Martin James said today.

'While we have not as yet found a naming rights sponsor for the Sydney to Hobart Race, we have had firm indications from a number of companies keen
to support Australia’s premier ocean race,' he added.

Vice Commodore James also announced a new 'user pays' system of entry fees for the Sydney to Hobart Race, based on a flat fee of $1100 per yacht,
plus a fee of $75 for each crew member.

Applications to enter the 2001 Sydney to Hobart will close on Friday, November 2, with final entries, including all crew and safety documentation, on
December 3.

The CYCA’s lead-up events on Sydney Harbour and offshore through December will include the Southern Cross Cup teams series and the British
Trophy regatta (previously the Telstra Cup) for individual yachts from December 12-16 and the Canon Big Challenge for maxi yachts on the Harbour on
Friday, December 14.

The Southern Cross Cup for teams of three yachts (two IMS and one IRC rated yacht) will also include the Sydney to Hobart as the final event.

'The Boxing Day start from Sydney Harbour promises to be a spectacular event as always, with a two-line start near Shark Island,' Vice Commodore
James added.

'Before the start, the Volvo Ocean 60’s and many of the Sydney to Hobart Race entrants will sail up and down the Harbour under spinnaker in a colourful
parade of sail, with live television and internet coverage around the world of this unique start.

The Volvo Ocean 60s will be eligible for the Line Honours Trophy and the Volvo Trophy.



Further information: Peter Campbell – 0419 385 028 or

email – peter_campbell@bigpond.com