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The largest Sydney to Hobart fleet in a decade is set to contest this year’s 70th edition of the classic offshore yacht race.
A total of 119 entries were received before the deadline last Friday.
The last time more than 100 boats set out from Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day was for the 60th race, back in 2004, when 116 started.
It was another milestone race, the event’s 50th back in 1994, that drew the biggest-ever fleet of 371, while 179 started in 1985 and 155 in 1984.
At the top end of this year’s fleet will be five supermaxis, headed by Wild Oats XI, the first boat to reach Hobart last year.
She will be going for a record eighth line honours victory, having last year equalled the record set by Morna/Kurrewa IV.
The other supermaxis are Perpetual LOYAL, which finished second across the line last year, 87-year-old Syd Fischer’s new Ragamuffin 100, highly-rated brand new American boat Comanche and another US entry, RIO 100.
The two American boats apart, the overseas contingent of 10 includes yachts from New Zealand, the Cayman Islands, the United Kingdom, and Poland.
Last year’s overall winner, NSW 50-footer Victoire, will be back to defend her crown.
“We could not be happier with the quality and quantity of this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet,” Cruising Yacht club of Australia commodore John Cameron said.
“It’s such a high standard and represents a good cross section of yachts from all over Australia as well as 10 international entries.”
The size of the fleet and some of the boats will necessitate three start lines.
Victorian boat Bacardi will extend the record she holds for most appearances in the race to 29 when she sets sail on Boxing Day.