| SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA-(23-7-2003) While most Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race competitors are scrambling with
final preparations before this Saturday's 1.00pm start, three are hitting
the sack.
Bleary eyed from completing the 2,225 nautical mile Transpac Race and then
packing up Rod Skellet's Young 31 Krakatoa, including removing the keel,
Anthony Paterson, Brett Filby, and international yachtsman Tom Braidwood
have just stepped off a plane this morning from Honolulu.
Krakatoa was one of the smallest boats in the Transpac fleet and one of
three Australian entries. It placed fifth in division and 20th overall in
the passage from Los Angeles to Honolulu that finished last week.
`It was great fun but very light,` said Filby this morning. `This race is
one of the best in the world and according to Tom, the reception at the
finish is comparable with round-the-world race finishes.`
Anthony, the owner of the Lake Macquarie-based yacht Tow Truck, left the
preparation of his Mumm 30 for the Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race to his
father, an important part of the shore crew for this winning yacht.
Having placed first on IRC handicap in the Sydney Mooloolaba Yacht Race back
in April, Anthony and navigator Brett are hoping for a back-to-back win.
`We would love to win both northern races in one season,` admitted Filby
today.
Meanwhile Tom Braidwood is passing on the small boat option for the 384
nautical mile Sydney Gold Coast Race. After a couple of days rest, he will
join Ludde Ingvall on board the 80-foot former Sydney Hobart Race line
honours winner Luna Park Sydney.
Other international yachtsmen on board Luna Park Sydney include Richard
Bouzaid from the winning America's Cup team Alinghi and owner/skipper
Ingvall, a former maxi One Design World Champion.
After its late arrival in Sydney last week, preparations on board John
David's Swan 45OD Joe have been further delayed with the installation of the
mast and boom only completed today.
Despite a `tremendous effort`, according to John's son Steven, this brand
new boat from Finland won't be on the water sailing until tomorrow, but with
the combined talent on board, the lack of time for training is not of great
concern.
The fleet still stands at 68 for this Saturday's 1.00pm start off Nielsen
Park.
| 
