The Club’s decision to extend the deadline for nominations until 15 November has seen a late upsurge, including enquiries from overseas yachtsmen looking to charter local boats.

While the CYCA has received Applications to Enter from six overseas nations, Great Britain, the USA, New Zealand, Sweden and, late last week, from the Netherlands and France, of great significance is the strong support from boat owners throughout Australia.

Of the 51 boats now on the list, 44 are Australian, from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, with late entries expected from South Australia.

“I am delighted with the fleet,” Joe Goddard, the Club’s CEO and a former Sydney Hobart Race skipper, said today. “The quality is outstanding and the numbers are excellent when you consider that of the 73 starters last year, 14 were from overseas, including the eight Volvo 60s competing in their round-the-world race.”

Goddard said he was confident of more entries, with owners now having the extra time to compile the documentation required for an Application to Enter and meet further rules in time for the formal entry into the event.

“It’s a fleet that reflects the egalitarian concept of this great race south, from club cruiser/racers sailed by mates on their annual holidays through to the professionally crewed super maxis,” he added.

“It is still an event for amateur sailors, a challenge by sailors against the sea as well as many enthusiastic individual jousts between boats, whether it be for Line Honours or Overall IMS or IRC, or just for bet of jugs of rum between crews.”

The latest international entries for this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart are that of Quiddity, a Grand Soleil 43 which a young Dutch couple have cruised 17,000 nautical miles from the Netherlands to Australia, and a French crew who have chartered the Beneteau 47,7, Savoir Faire, and will sail it as Peugeot Racing – Savoir Faire.

Source: HOBART FLEET AS IT EXCEEDS 50 BOATS