SAILING’S FAB FIVE

Wild Oats XI

State: NSW

Skipper: Mark Richards

Owner: Oatley family

The 100-footer is chasing her ninth win with Mark Richards at the helm. She was sent to the sidelines in 2015 and 2016 with sail and equipment damage. Last year she lost her line honours victory and race record when protested over an incident with Comanche soon after the start.

Black Jack

State: Queensland

Skipper: Mark Bradford

Owner: Peter Harburg

The reborn Alfa Romeo which won the race back in 2009 is now under new owner Peter Harburg and in the hands of skipper Mark Bradford. The only Queenslander in the supermaxi fleet, the yacht is super fast in the light and has a new keel and sails for the race this year. The boat was named after the late Formula One legend Jack Brabham.

InfoTrack

State: NSW

Skipper: Joe Akacich

Owner: Christian Beck

In 2016 as Perpetual Loyal this supermaxi set a new race record of just over one day and 13 hours. New owner Christian Beck competed for the first time last year for a fourth place across the line. But this year he has assembled one of the best crews in the race. However, the weather will play a major role in her success as one of the heavier boats.

Comanche

State: NSW

Skipper: Jim Cooney

Owner: Jim Cooney

The famous American record-breaker now in the Australian hands of skipper Jim Cooney. A beast of a machine which leaves everything in its wake when reaching or in particularly tough conditions. A year after winning and setting a new race record of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds, Cooney and his team, which includes big names from the Olympic, America’s Cup and Volvo Race world, have left no stone unturned with their preparations this year. The yacht has won numerous lead-up races to the Sydney to Hobart.

Scallywag

Nationality: Hong Kong

Skipper: David Witt

Owner: Seng Huang Lee

The foreign raider lead by Australian David Witt and returning after an absence of a year so he and a number of his crew could contest the most recent Volvo round the world race. This 100-footer could make a real mark this year. Extremely good in the light, her crew is vastly experienced and the boat has been modified to decrease past areas of weakness. The team suffered a mishap when two crucial sails shredded but one was repaired and the other replaced thanks to the loan of a sail from InfoTrack.