#sydneyhobart – Ireland's Barry Hurley, who was part of a winning crew in last month's Middle Sea Race is heading next for The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The 70th edition is bringing new, old, large and small together for the start on St. Stephen's Day.
Due to the large number and sheer size of some yachts, there will be three start lines this year. The last time numbers topped 100 was in 2004, when 116 boats started, though just 59 finished, the rest unable to withstand the punishing weather of the 60th race.
Sailing with Hurley, who was first in class one in IRC and ORC in the Med, will be INSS's Kenny Rumball along with some other Irish offshore crews on an Australian entry.
Five super maxis, 10 international entries, previous overall and line honours winners, old timers, record breaking boats and people - and the faithful.
One cannot go past two-time treble crown winner and reigning record holder and line honours champion, Wild Oats XI owned by Bob Oatley and skippered by Mark Richards, for line honours. In 2013 they won a protracted battle with Anthony Bell's Perpetual Loyal (former Rambler), allegedly the fastest super maxi in the world.
The two are constantly evolving, undergoing further modifications during the year. Their owners have recruited crews strewn with yachting identities and they will need everything they can muster to take on the other 100 footers in the frame.
Syd Fischer's new Ragamuffin 100. The modified deck of his previous yacht (it took line honours in 2011 under Anthony Bell's ownership) has received a new water ballasted hull. A canting keel completes the picture. Fischer, 87, will tick off his 46th Hobart this year.
Jim and Kristy Hinze Clark's new Comanche (USA) illustrates the latest technology and is the most talked about boat in the fleet. A second American entry is RIO 100 (previously Lahana). Purchased by Manouch Moshayedi, he has lengthened her to 100 feet.