2000 TELSTRA SYDNEY TO HOBART DRAWS BIG BOATS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

by Peter Campbell on 3 Nov 2000 The 2000 Telstra Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the 56th annual ocean classic
conducted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, has attracted the
largest big boat fleet since the 50th race in 1994.

The line-up on Boxing Day, December 26, will include a 90-footer, three
80-footers, a 76-footer, five Volvo Ocean 60s headed by last year's
record-slashing line honours winner, Nokia, plus an Open 60 and four other
60-footers.

Of these big boats, at least eight will sail under their water-ballast
configuration, as did Nokia in 1999.

Applications to enter the tough 627 nautical mile race in the Tasman Sea,
down the east coast of Australia to the island State of Tasmania, have
closed with the CYCA receiving 87 nominations.

The race has once again attracted yachts across the broad spectrum of ocean
racing, from little 30-footers to a 90-footer, the Italian Navy training
yacht Orsa Maggiore.

There are boats from all Australian States and the ACT, and overseas from
Britain, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, New Zealand and
Bermuda.

"It is the best and biggest line-up of big boats since the 50th race in
1994," CYCA race director Phil Thompson said today. "At the same time, it
is pleasing to see so many small boats in the fleet."

Thompson said the CYCA was gratified at the understanding and diligence of
owners and crews in accepting and applying the new safety standards
required for the race.

"Many of the safety measures introduced for the 1999 race have been refined
and extended, while further emphasis had been placed on crew experience and
training, with 50 per cent of the crew of each yacht now required to attend
special safety seminars," he added.

Thompson predicted a great race for line honours, but also intense
competition within the IMS and IRC handicap divisions.

"The Volvo Ocean 60s, headed by last year's line honours winner Nokia, will
virtually race boat for boat, and we expect a great battle between the
80-footers, Shockwave, Nicorette from Sweden, and the extended Wild Thing
from Melbourne, not to mention the Sydney 76-footer, Brindabella," Thompson
said.

"Who gets to Hobart first will depend largely on the strength and direction
of the wind; last year's hard running and reaching conditions were
maximised by Nokia and her crew in setting a remarkable race record of 1 day
19 hours 48 minutes 2 seconds."

Shockwave, owned by Sydney-based New Zealander Neville Crichton, is a
state-of the art "turbo-charged" maxi which made a sensational debut at
Hamilton Island Race Week in August. Dean Barker and a Team New Zealand
crew will sail the boat in the Telstra Sydney to Hobart.

Nicorette, owned by Portugal-based champion maxi yacht skipper Ludde
Ingvall, is a highly sophisticated maxi with water ballast which has been
racing on the European circuit as Skandia. She is being fitted with a new
mast and keel especially for the Sydney to Hobart.

In addition to Nokia, the line-up of Volvo 60s include the New
Zealand-based News Corporation, illbruck from Germany, the Hong Kong
registered Assa Abloy and TYCO from Bermuda.

The 2000 Telstra Sydney to Hobart has attracted seven previous overall
handicap winners, including the little 30-footer Zeus II, skippered by Royal
Sydney Squadron Commodore Jim Dunstan which won in 1981, and last year's
winner, Yendys, skippered by Hong Kong based Australian Geoff Ross.

The 2000 Telstra Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, along with the Telstra Cup
regatta, will be launched at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia next
Wednesday, 8 November.