Yachting: Former winner Crichton reveals race secrets

SYDNEY - Neville Crichton, the owner and skipper of fancied Sydney to Hobart super maxi Alfa Romeo, has identified three key factors in winning a race which has been both kind and horrid to the Sydney-based New Zealander.

Crichton's previous Alfa Romeo took line honours in 2002, but two years earlier his favoured maxi Shockwave was damaged and forced to retire.

He has again surrounded himself with a top-notch crew, one of the key factors he targeted in launching a strong assault on the gruelling race.

"A lot of organisation, a good boat and a good crew," Crichton said ahead of the race start today.

Skandia's navigator Will Oxley, who has also experienced the contrasting feelings of line honours victory and a damage-enforced withdrawal, stressed the value of preparation.

"The first thing is preparation, 80 per cent of the race is done by the time you get to the start line," Oxley said.

"If you haven't got the preparation, then you really have a very difficult time. A large percentage is the crew handling.

"In a race like we're expecting, helmsman are going to be very important, because it's strong downwind running and boat maintenance is a significant part."

Sean Langman, skipper of maxi AAPT, which took line honours last year as Nicorette under the guidance of Ludde Ingvall, said the Sydney to Hobart was "more than just a sail race".

"It's about human endeavour and achievement," Langman said.

While the likes of Langman, Oxley and Crichton can target line honours as a realistic goal, the aspirations of many of the fleet, especially the smaller yachts, will be more modest.

David Kent, the skipper of 32-foot Gillawa, which was the last of the 59 finishers in 2004, would like to knock 24 hours off last year's time, though he still doesn't expect to arrive before the New Year.

"It's just the achievement of sailing down there and participating," Kent said.

"I run the boat on a shoestring and the crew all chip in together to pay the race entry, the insurance and for food."

- AAP