“I expect we will see more than 100 entries this year and in excess of 200 for the 60th race in 2004, with many more Australian and international entrants,” said Commodore Messenger whose club has been conducting the 630 nautical mile ocean classic each year since 1945.

Commodore Messenger made his comments at the Trophy Presentation for the 2002 Race held on a hot summer’s morning on the waterfront forecourt of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.

A fleet of 57 boats contested the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart, which Commodore Messenger admitted was small, but described it as one of the highest quality fleets ever seen in this race and indeed, one of the best racing fleets in the world.

In his speech, he expressed his gratitude to the race’s new sponsors, Rolex, and in particular their international promotion of the event. He also thanked the Tasmanian Government for its ongoing support of the Race, as well as that from the Hohart City Council and the Hobarts Ports Corporation.

Commodore Messenger also expressed the CYCA’s gratitude to the hundreds of club and other volunteers in Sydney and in Hobart whose efforts had made the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race such an outstanding success.

The Governor of Tasmania, His Excellency Sir Guy Green, the Premier of Tasmania, Mr Jim Bacon, the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Mr Rob Valentine, the Chairman of the Hobarts Port Corporation, Mr Graeme Phillips, and the Commodores of the CYCA, Mr John Messenger, and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, Mr Robert “Biddy” Badenach, presented various trophies.

Mr Richard De Leyser, Manager, Rolex Australia, presented the Overall Winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race with the Tattersalls Cup, other perpetual trophies, and a Rolex watch.

He also presented the Rolex watch won by Neville Crichton, owner/skipper of the 90-footer Alfa Romeo, line honours winner of the Race, the watch being accepted by the yacht’s captain, Murray Spence.

Source: Peter Campbell