| SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA-(22-12-2002) The arrival today of four Russian sailors brings to ten the number of nations represented in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race which starts next Thursday, 26 December.
Headed by Olympic sailor Georgy Shaiduko, the Russians have chartered the Sydney 38, Next, which will race to Hobart as Polar Star.
Shaiduko will be skipper with the yacht’s co-owner Natasha Henley-Smith, who will be the only women skipper in the 630 nautical mile race.
Last minute action by the Federal Government has enabled the Russian crews to fly from Moscow; at least they are three days earlier than a similar crew who sailed in last year’s Hobart Race – they arrived on Christmas Day and still sailed exceptionally well.
Other nations represented in the 2002 Sydney Hobart by crew, in addition to Australia and Russia, are Sweden, Great Britain, the USA, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium and France.
The fleet of 57 boats includes yachts on the register of overseas yacht clubs in Sweden, New Zealand, Great Britain, the Netherlands and the USA.
Charter arrangements and sponsorships have seen a number of late name changes to the yachts:
Magnavox is now Magnavox 2UE
Next is Polar Star
Merit is Merit is Merit Navigator
Leopard of London is Canon (Leopard)
Obsession is getawaysailing.com
Eureka II is formulaonesailing.com
Shockwave is Alfa Romeo
Andrew Short Marine is Andrew Short Marine Mercury
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