Yachting: Crichton to get close look at Sydney-Hobart rival

Neville Crichton

SYDNEY - New Zealand skipper Neville Crichton will assess one of his greatest threats to winning the Sydney to Hobart yachting classic when new Australian super maxi Wild Oats 11 makes her debut in the Rolex Big Boat challenge here on December 13.

While the Big Boat challenge on Sydney Harbour is typically a lighthearted preamble to the Boxing Day trek to Tasmania, all eyes will be on Bob Oatley's latest reincarnation of Wild Oats.

The 98-footer will be launched later this week and will be the fourth super maxi to contest the 61st Sydney-Hobart, challenging Crichton's Alfa Romeo, Skandia and New Zealand's other big boat Konica Minolta, skippered by Wellington businessman Stewart Thwaites, for line honours.

The super maxis will tussle again in the Rolex Trophy Rating Series two days later -- a final three-day regatta before the Sydney-Hobart.

"With a brand new boat, we will be keeping it very simple," Wild Oats' skipper Mark Richards said.

"Our focus is the Sydney-Hobart so for the Big Boat Challenge we plan to just get around the race track and stay out of trouble, though having said that I think the competition between us and Alfa Romeo is going to be sensational, probably the best racing this country has ever seen."

Heading into their first encounter, Alfa Romeo has an advantage over Wild Oats 11, having had at least four months of on-water testing.

In its impressive debut at Hamilton Island Race Week in August, Alfa Romeo took line honours in all but one race and in the Savills Short Ocean Racing Championship sailed over the weekend, she scored two line honours and IRC wins on Saturday before electing not to race in Sunday's near gale-force conditions.

Crichton was equally low key about the Big Boat Challenge, saying it was another opportunity to get his crew up to speed.

"The Big Boat Challenge will provide us with an opportunity to refine our skills at close quarters manoeuvring.

"I think many people will be surprised just how agile Alfa Romeo can be under these conditions, with the second rudder enabling us to change direction quickly and in a manner that other yachts find impossible," Crichton said, anticipating another victory.

- NZPA