| SYDNEY-(4-10-2002) The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia today received the first application to enter the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, from Infinity III, the Farr 65 owned by Rear Commodore Martin James.
The Club expects a flush of nominations, including overseas yachts, over the next few weeks for the 630 nautical mile ocean classic which starts from Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day, 26 December 2002.
This year’s race will be the first for Infinity III since she was among the many retirements from the storm-swept 1998 race although owner/skipper James has been a regular competitor in other long offshore races.
Originally named Brindabella, the yacht took line honours in the 1991 Sydney Hobart Race when owned by George Snow, and has continued to be one of the front-runners in long ocean races under her present owner.
Among the crew of 18 who will sail Infinity III south this year will be the CYCA’s Vice Commodore Geoff Lavis and his wife, Pip, and also past Commodore Peter Bush.
“I am really looking forward to sailing again to Hobart after being involved in race administration during the past three races,” Rear Commodore James added.
Meanwhile, Shockwave, the line honours favourite for the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart, is expected to make her Sydney racing debut next Saturday, 12 October, in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s short ocean race off Sydney Heads.
The Reichel/Pugh designed 90-footer, owned and skipper by Neville Crichton, has been undergoing some final fit-out work in Sydney after contesting the Hahn Premium Race Week at Hamilton Island where she took line honours in every race of the Big Boat Division, winning two races on corrected time in an impressive debut.
· An electronic copy of the Notice of Race for the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and an Application for Entry may be obtained on-line (www.cyca.com.au) and printed copies may obtained by contacting the CYCA Sailing Office on +61 2 9363 9731.
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