Front of the Fleet

This gives yachts the ‘one off' opportunity to win both races at the same time.
The Rudder Cup and the Heemskirk Trophy are both awarded for handicap performance and the field is as open as a Melbourne Cup field. The Front of the Fleet is likewise a challenge.
The DK 46's, Phil Coombs' Dekadence and Paul Buchholz's eXtasea will be looking to lead he way and if the wind is ‘on the nose' they should revel in the conditions.
The Royal Geelong based eXtasea is sailed meticulously and has the added incentive of wanting to bring home the Rudder Cup to Geelong, its original home.
Phil Coombs is a wiley and experienced sailor with copious sea miles under his keel. This year he has bolstered his crew with the addition of co-skipper Matt Hannaford. Hannaford last year took line honours on his downwind flyer No Fearr which has been subsequently sold and will be competing under its new owners. He is known to drive his crew hard and combines a delightful personality with a fierce competitive spirit.
The battle of the Beneteau 47.7's will rage not far behind them, waiting to pounce on the slightest error of judgement or navigation. Don Fraser and Bruce McKechnie's Elektra will tack it out with Hobson Bay based David Stoopman on Samskara and Geelong based Malcolm Eaton on Savoir-Faire.
Add to this mix Tony Fowler in his Inglis 47 Ocean Skins, who will be looking for the downwind weather to challenge the upwind DK's.
Alan Saunders in his Farr 47 has added strength to his team picking up crew from Helsal II since its sale. Whilst Saunders will have to work hard to challenge the DK's he will be relying on exceptional navigation from Neville Rose to give him the edge. The course this year is a navigators dream, or nightmare, depending on your viewpoint.
Geelong's Kevin Bell is described as a ‘canny old fox' and has pulled his Adams 15 Volante out for one more Hobart. With downwind breeze he will be carving furrows across Bass Strait and would be discounted at our peril.
The Adelaide based Carpe Diem, skippered by Chris Riggs is a bit of an unknown quantity in Melbourne waters but with its Adams design and 16.46 length it will move in downwind conditions.
Although it gives away waterline length, Laurie Ford's downwind flyer, Varta Spirit of Downunder will be in the mix given the right weather. The Cameron de Lange looks like a skiff from behind and acts like one as well.
They will all be looking for the line honours win but will also be focusing on the IRC handicap position that's where the big silverware lies. The handicap race is much harder to pick and another story.

Sailing

Training

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Safety