Yachting: Kiwi flyer favoured in Sydney-Hobart race

AAPT has a 420sq m parachute-shaped kite which is designed to fly 150m above the boat.

SYDNEY - It can be a breezy, armchair ride that takes less than two days, or it can be a week-long slog through ugly, dangerous seas that makes participants wonder why they ever left land.

For 60 years, the Sydney-Hobart yacht race has been one of the world's great bluewater classics.

It has bounced back from the 1998 disaster, when a southerly storm decimated the fleet and killed six sailors. On Boxing Day a field of 125 boats - the biggest in 10 years - will gather in Sydney Harbour for one of Australia's cherished rituals.

The harbour will be alive with pleasure boats and spectator craft wanting to be part of the great event.

Once the spectators have been left behind, the fleet makes its way through the heads and turns south for the real business of the 628-nautical mile journey to the Derwent.

By then the three super maxis, Skandia, Konika Minolta (the bookies' favourite) and the new Nicorette are likely to fully engaged in the battle for line honours.

They are at the cutting edge of ocean racing technology and among the fastest sailing craft in the world.

Skandia, skippered by Grant Wharington, and the New Zealand flier Konica Minolta (then named Zana) duelled throughout last year's race, with Skandia winning the final dash up the Derwent River by a mere 14 minutes.

The two have continued their intense rivalry since then, especially since Konika Minolta returned from a refit in Wellington.

However they will not get things all their own way this year, as they have to contend with the new Nicorette, which was launched only nine days before the race.

Owner-skipper Ludde Ingvall has assembled a strong crew, and will be looking to take line honours for the second time, having won in 2000 with the old Nicorette.

Given favourable winds, they could all threaten Nokia's 1999 race record of one day 19 hours 48 minutes and two seconds.

One of the most intriguing entrants this year is AAPT, which chased Skandia and Zana home last year and finished second to Alfa Romeo in 2002.

With skipper Sean Langman making his 12th trip to Hobart and a pair of Olympic sailors Chris Nicholson and Gary Boyd among the crew, this much revamped skiff is expected to give plenty of cheek.

The modified 20m boat has proved to be the conversation piece of the race following the announcement that it intends to carry a kite sail.

The 420sq m parachute-shaped kite is designed to fly 150m above the boat, lifting its bow out of the water and taking advantage of stronger winds well above the wave line.

"I believe the kite gives us a chance [to win] that we did not have," said Langman. "Our downwind speed is quite remarkable."

However other skippers are not so sure, and believe the kite, outlawed in much of the sailing world, is little more than a gimmick.

As far as line honours are concerned, the others are there to make up the numbers and enjoy the trip south, but there will be the usual battle for handicap honours.

Michael Spies, who was overall winner last year in First National Real Estate, is back with a new, bigger boat with the same name and sponsor.

Chris Lewin, a 21-year-old Melbourne University student will take the youngest crew south in the Sydney 38 class Another Challenge, while Auschwitz survivor John Walker, 82, will make his 21st Sydney-Hobart crossing in his wooden 10m Impeccable.

Online bookmaker Centrebet has installed Konika Minolta as A$2.35 ($2.53) favourite for line honours. Skandia is at $2.50, Nicorette at $4, AAPT at $12 and veteran Brindabella next best at $34.

- AAP