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Saturday, 24 December 2005 |
Yachts Alfa Romeo and Wild Oats favourites for Boxing Day Sydney-Hobart race
The hi-tech yachts Alfa Romeo and Wild Oats are current favourites to
take line honours in the traditional Sydney-Hobart race which starts on
Boxing Day.
The annual 628-nautical mile classic down Australia's south-east coast to Tasmania has attracted 86 entries.
Weather forecasts predict light winds, which could rule out high speeds despite rule changes to allow unlimited sail area.
The record is one day 19 hours 48 minutes and two seconds, set by Danish downwind flyer Nokia in 1999.
The new rules mean there will be no upper speed limit - previously
imposed for safety reasons - enabling boats unrestricted use of water
ballast and swinging keels.
Modern racing yachts can angle their keels to windward to counterbalance more sail area in stronger winds.
Grant Wharington, the skipper of canting-keel Australian supermaxi
Skandia, rejected suggestions the new breed of boats are dangerous if
the canting mechanism becomes stuck.
"I see canting keels as a thing of the future and we are having some
teething problems," said Wharington, who abandoned his yacht in Bass
Strait while leading the 2004 race, after its canting keel broke and
the boat capsized.
"I wouldn't be sailing with one if I thought it was too dangerous. I want to come home and see my family."
Bookmakers have now named the 30m (98ft) Alfa Romeo the favourite ahead of Wild Oats.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 27 December 2005 )
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