The first interstate application for entry for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2009 has come from Dr Tony Fisher and his son Rob, who will once again campaign their Adams 20 Helsal III under the burgee of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.

The first interstate application for entry for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2009 has come from Dr Tony Fisher and his son Rob, who will once again campaign their Adams 20 Helsal III under the burgee of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.

In last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, Rob Fisher helmed Helsal III for his father and competed against his sister Sally Smith who skippered the Dynamique 62 Helsal IV, also owned by Dr Tony Fisher.

The brother and sister rivalry played out on the race course with a bottle of Bollinger the prize for the first one to reach Hobart. Fisher had to pay his dues after Helsal III retired, and Helsal IV arrived into Constitution Dock on the morning of 30 December.

Within hours of the release of the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2009 Notice of Race, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia had received its first four applications for entry, and this figure has now climbed to eight.

CYCA Commodore Matt Allen with his Jones 70 Ichi Ban was among the first entries. Ichi Ban is always well campaigned in the tough 628 nautical mile race, finishing third across the line in 2008 and 2007, and second to Wild Oats XI in 2006. This race will be Allen’s 21st race to Hobart.

A strong international fleet is expected to participate in this year’s race with the first overseas application for entry coming from the Netherlands. Owner and skipper Atse Blei will campaign his S&S 41 Pinta-M  for the second year in a row with his eager crew.

Commenting on the number of applications for entry received to date, Rear Commodore and chairman of the CYCA sailing committee Garry Linacre said: “It is encouraging to see the strong number of applications received thus far. With the extension of the overall length limit from 98 to 100ft we are anticipating six maxis and a highly competitive IRC fleet vying for the Tattersall’s Cup.

“The level of international interest has been strong and we anticipate overseas yachts will make up at least ten percent of the expected 90 plus fleet,” said Linacre.

Applications for entry have also been received for Syd Fischer’s TP52 Ragamuffin, John Smith’s Cavalier 350SL CHorse and the syndicate of Antony Sweetapple, Anthony Bruce and James Lee Warner’s Jones 40 Quetzalcoatl (a former Tasmanian yacht), all three representing the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia; and Ian Sanford’s Northshore 38 Ray White Castle Hill (Tartan) representing Greenwich Flying Squadron.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2009 Notice of Race is now online at http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/editorial.asp?key=1711.

Applications for entry for the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2009 close Monday 2 November 2009 at 1700hrs AEST. – CYCA Media/Peter Campbell