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The boat of Sydney to Hobart rookie and Young Australian of the Year Jessica Watson has been rated the favourite in its class by one of her major rivals.
Watson 18, is skipper of Ella Bache Another Challenge, which will carry the youngest crew in the race’s history.
All ten are 21 or younger and the average age of the crew is 19, one year above the minimum age for competitors in the race.
It is one of eight Sydney 38 boats in the fleet, with the identical one-design yachts invariably finishing close together.
Despite their youth, the crew aboard Ella Bache Another Challenge boast plenty of ocean racing experience and have spent several weeks training together.
Watson is a celebrated long-distance solo sailor, four of her crew members have done the famous Fastnet race and another two have Sydney to Hobart experience.
“I think Jessica is entitled to start favourite, they have been practicing for months and months and months and they have a good budget,” said Bruce Foye, skipper and co-owner of rival Sydney 38 boat The Goat.
“They have got good sails and she (Watson) is pretty smart.
“She understands weather and the crew, so they are a good young team.”
Foye, who took overall honours in the original Wild Oats in 1993, didn’t begrudge the focus on Watson.
“We welcome Jessica into our class because we welcome the attention that we are getting,” Foye said.
Assessing the other Sydney 38s, former North Sydney rugby league player Foye said The Goat and Dodo had experienced crews, while Deloitte As One, which contains the coaches for Ella Bache Another Challenge, is well prepared.