FLEETING FACTS

WHAT

73rd Sydney to Hobart yacht race

START

Noon (Qld time) today on Sydney Harbour. Channel 7’s live coverage begins at 11.30am.

FLEET

More than 100 yachts, including 27 international entries. Yachts range in size from 30 foot to 100 foot.

WHY THEY DO IT

Because of the challenge. The race is recognised as one of the toughest ocean races in the world.

PRIZEMONEY

None. Trophies are awarded to line and overall winners and divisional winners and placegetters.

DISTANCE

It’s 628-nautical miles but sailors cover significantly more distance as they tack and gybe their way south due to the wind direction.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Both the line and handicap winners are back – just in different guises. The New Zealand overall winner Giacomo has been sold and will race as Wizard. The linehonours winner in 2016, Perpetual Loyal, has also been sold and will race as InfoTrack.

BIG FOUR

Wild Oats X1: Amazing 100footer which is chasing its eighth win.

Black Jack: The reborn Alfa Romeo, which won the race in 2009. The only Queenslander in the supermaxi fleet.

InfoTrack: Won last year as Perpetual Loyal, when owned by Anthony Bell, set a race record of just over one day and 13 hours. New owner Christian Beck is a debutant.

LDV Comanche: The famous American record-breaker won line honours in 2015 and is now in the Australian hands of Jim Cooney. A beast of a boat if the going gets tough.