Solas Big Boat Challenge - Oprah's entourage may alter course

by Lisa Ratcliff on 13 Dec 2010 The annual Solas Big Boat Challenge maxi yacht fleet may for the first time in 17 years have to shift their finish line from off the Opera House if a sizable fleet of spectator craft hoping to catch a glimpse of the talk show Queen, Oprah Winfrey, creates a log jam.

Tuesday December 14 is Oprah’s filming day at the Opera House and also the Rolex Sydney Hobart lead-in race around Sydney Harbour when the line honours hopefuls get to show off their might to the public, and perhaps gain the mental edge with a race win.

CYCA sailing manager Justine Kirkjian says 'with the huge interest in Oprah we’ve made an allowance for the race committee to shorten the course if the big boats don’t have enough running room amongst the spectator fleet to finish at speed and then drop their sails off the Opera House.

'After the 12.30pm race start from Steele Point we’ll monitor the number of vessels in and around Farm Cove and make the call mid-race,' Kirkjian added.

Entries for the Solas Big Boat Challenge stand at 17 with today the final day for skippers to accept entry to the invitation-only event.

Headline acts Wild Oats XI and Investec Loyal are the biggest of the bunch at 100 feet with Lahana and Wild Thing coming in a shade under at 98 feet.

In the grand prix 60 foot range, Stephen Ainsworth’s all-conquering RP63 Loki will once again be in the ring with Alan Brierty’s near sistership Limit. The pair has each achieved success this year, Loki locally and Limit abroad and Tuesday will reveal the results of their separate preparations. Both are amongst Kirkjian’s top picks for potential Rolex Sydney Hobart overall winner.

The tight 14 nautical mile course will start off Steele Point at 12.30pm and will take the fleet around the harbour two and a half times passing many of Sydney’s famous landmarks including Fort Denison, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and the Sydney Opera House, which usually backdrops the finish line.

Last year some skippers expressed concern at having to navigate their way through the flotilla of pleasure and commercial craft generated by the popular pre-Christmas harbour event. Responding to their concerns, and with the added on-water traffic due to Oprah-mania, the CYCA is asking skippers to be wary of the size, speed and manoeuvrability of these giants, and to stay well clear.

Skippers of private and commercial craft can familiarise themselves with the courses via these maps.

The Solas Big Boat Challenge is dedicated to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Safety of Life at Sea Trusts, which were established following the tragic 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. This is the fourth year places aboard yachts competing in the Solas Big Boat Challenge have been auctioned with more than $5500 raised for the Trusts this time around.

The following boats will be carrying the winning bidders as guests on Tuesday; Spirit of the Maid, Southern Excellence, Brindabella, Rodd & Gunn Wedgetail, Quest, Limit, Wild Thing, Lahana, Investec Loyal and Wild Oats XI.

Entries close today.

www.cyca.com.au