With the weather forecast for Sunday showing moderate westerly winds, the stage is set for the grand dames of yachting to launch the Audi Winter Series with The Great Veterans Race. This race is a tribute to those classic Sydney Hobart Yacht Race yachts that sailed south in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
 
With the changes to the race regulations incorporated in 2008 that allows yachts aged 30 years or more to compete (provided they have competed in a Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race), the fleet for the 2009 Great Veterans Race now stands at seventeen – a 50% increase on the 2008 fleet.
 
The yachts will compete for the historic Windward Trophy to mark the opening day of the Audi Winter Series on Sydney Harbour, along with the Ladies Day Race.
 
“The Great Veterans Race is a wonderful gathering on the water – and later back at the CYCA – for these fine classic yachts which contested the early races to Hobart,”  CYCA Sailing Committee Chairman Garry Linacre said today.  “Whilst it’s a non-spinnaker event often sailed in a relaxed atmosphere, the rivalry of years gone by will still be evident on water.”

“Audi is once again pleased to support this great event. It is gratifying to see so many sailors compete week after week in this well-known series – as a premium brand, the concept of spirited competition is something we want to encourage and support out on the water through our long-running partnership with the CYCA,” said Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann
 
Among the fleet is Southerly, owned by Don Mickleborough, which first sailed south in 1958, where she almost sank off Bermagui. Southerly went on to sail a further thirteen times to Hobart, notching up two 3rd places in 1959 & 1995. In 1994, the 50th anniversary of the Sydney Hobart, Southerly won first place in the 30-Year Veterans division. 

“It is good to be sailing Southerly again. This is a race that we’ve won before and we’ll be vying for the win again,” said Don Micklebourough.

Ian Kiernan will also sail his beloved Tasman Seabird Sanyo Maris in this year’s Great Veterans race, after competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2008 but having to retire due to a broken gooseneck.

Kevin O’Shea’s Stormy Petrel, which won the 1971 One Ton Cup in New Zealand, will also compete, along with Tig Thomas’ Plum Crazy, who set the fastest time ever for a yacht under 9.5m (LOA) in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1975. 

Maurie Cameron’s Witchdoctor, who holds the record for the most number of Hobarts completed by any boat – 27, is this year competing for the first time as a Veteran.
 
Regular competitors in the fleet include Carl Sriber’s Suraya, Chris Dawe’s Polaris of Belmont and Nick Cassim’s Lolita.

The Audi Winter Series opening day is on Sunday 26 April. The winter pointscore series starts the following Sunday 3 May, with 11 pointscore races for eight spinnaker, two non-spinnaker and a Sydney 38OD division. There are currently 130 block entries for the Audi Winter Series with more expected, and casual entries will join as the season progresses.  Those wishing to be in the pointscore must block enter before race 4.

As well as great Line 7 gear for the top three in each division, all the divisional placegetters  go in the draw for the chance to drive brand new luxury Audi A6 for the week. – Jennifer Crooks