Her new owner, Chris Dare, managing director of Stratcorp, a management company specialising in the sport and leisure industry, is planning to contest the boat's anniversary race this year and has entered Stratcorp Ninety Seven in the Sydney Gold Coast Race as part of his preparation for the upcoming Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Sailing on the boat in the Gold Coast Race, which starts on Saturday July 26 at 1.00pm, will be well-known Sydney yachtsman Adam Brown, who was part of the winning crew in 1993. Chris has also invited Adam to join him for the boat's anniversary race in December.

Stratcorp Ninety Seven has undergone significant modifications under Dare's ownership including a new rudder, keel and new carbon fibre mast and boom to replace the aluminium rig they dropped during the Keelboat Championships in January.

`We are conscious of the milestone approaching and undertaking these refurbishments is all part of the preparation for the 10th anniversary of the boat's historic line honours win,` said Dare.

`I just hope the conditions we will face this year aren't reminiscent of 1993 as this will be my first Hobart Race skippering my own boat,` he added.

Two of the interstate crew competing on Stratcorp Ninety Seven in the Sydney Gold Coast Race hail from Queensland, `with one token New South Welshman, one South Australian and the rest Mexicans [Victorians],` said Dare, who last competed in this race on his previous boat Original Sin, which has entered as Bullistic under new Victorian owner Andy Allsep.

The 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race overall winner and current Bluewater Champion, Bob Steel's Quest, has also entered and the 2000 Sydney Hobart line honours winner, Ludde Ingvall's Nicorette (now sailing as Tokolash-AC), is expected to enter.

The Sailing Office has received 23 entries and is confident of breaking the 70 mark with many enquiries from new boats. Entries close July 11 and the Notice of Race is available from www.cyca.com.au

Source: Lisa Ratcliff