There is a strong International representation at SIRs 2004, with Laser sailors from Chile, Great Britain, Canada, India and Singapore heading to Sydney to race against the local and interstate sailors over three days, from the 18th to the 20th December. Currently the Laser fleet has over 20 entries with numbers expected to double by the close of entry date December 10th. Richard Perini, current Mumm 30 World Champion, will be racing in the Laser fleet alongside his son Matthew.

In the Laser Radial class current world champion Krystal Weir will take to the water, while the Etchells class will be using the regatta as a training opportunity with their class Nationals being held on Sydney Harbour in January.

Representatives from Singapore will be racing in the 470 class after recently racing in Melbourne. Along with the Etchells the Laser, 505, 420 and Moth classes will be taking advantage of SIRs for training prior to their Nationals over the Christmas period.

Racing will commence in two weeks entries for SIRs close on the 10th December 2004 and should be submitted to Yachting New South Wales.

The invited classes joining the regatta this year are the Laser Radial and 4.7, 505, Moth, OK Dinghy, Etchells and 5.5 classes. The competing Olympic, Paralympic and Youth classes will be the 49er, 470, Laser, Europe, Finn, Yngling, Tornado, Mistral, Star, 29er, 420, Hobie 16, 2.4mR and Sonar. 2004 will be the 13th year Yachting NSW has organised the Sydney International Regatta, which will be conducted from the Woollahra Sailing Club with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron hosting the keelboat classes.

Previous SIRs events have been a great success, attracting high profile sailors from over 21 countries and previous fleet sizes of up to 250 boats.

SIRs is the Sydney stop over in the Sail Down Under series with Sail Brisbane being held in December, Sail Melbourne in January and the New Zealand stop over of the circuit, Sail Auckland in January and February.

Source: Sam Crichton