Hugh Styles and Ed Wright from Great Britain will be competing in the Laser class. Sharon Ferris from New Zealand will be racing in the Yngling class, using SIRs as a warm up for the Yngling Worlds in Sydney in January 2004. SIRs regular Ingrid Petitjean from France will be competing once again in the 470 class.

A strong Australian contingent is expected to provide stiff competition for the international competitors. Entries have been received from Australian Olympic team hopefuls:

* Anthony 'Nocka' Nossiter in the Finn class

* Michael Blackburn and Brendan Casey in the Laser class

* Jessica Crisp and Alison Shreeve in the Mistral class

* Olympic aspirant and 2002 World Champion, Sarah Blanck in the Europe class and

* Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page and the Belcher brothers in the 470 class

RSYS Yachtsman of the Year Richard Perini will be sailing with his son Matt in the 29er class.

This year’s event, which is part of the Sail Down Under series, will be raced from December 18 -21 on Sydney Harbour. The dinghy classes will be racing out of Woollahra Sailing Club and the keelboat classes out of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

Fleets racing at SIRs will include the 49er, 470, Laser, Europe, Finn, Yngling, Tornado, Mistral, Star, 29er, 420, Laser Radial, Hobie 16, 2.4mR and Sonar and the invited classes of the Laser 4.7, 505's, Moth and OK Dinghy classes. Close competition on the water can be expected and with the total fleet size expected to be more than120 boats SIRs 2003 will again be an enjoyable regatta for competitors. Entries need to be sent to the YA of NSW by December 10th.

Added features of this year's event will be a rules seminar, coaching clinics and a Race Officer’s course, which will be run in conjunction with the event.

The NOR is available on the YA of NSW website www.nsw.yachting.org.au

Source: Sam Crichton - Regatta Director