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1:29 AM Fri 20 Feb 2009 GMT
 | | 'Secret Mens Business 3'
Rolex
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A strong fleet of 70 yachts will create a visual spectacle when they head-off from the Cruising Yacht Squadron in Adelaide this afternoon for South Australia's premier yachting event.
Yachts from across the nation, both racing and cruising, will tackle the 156 nautical mile journey in the Lexus Adelaide - Pt Lincoln Yacht Race.
This year's race conditions are predicted to be a lot better than last year, when more than half the fleet had to retire due to bad weather.
'We're thrilled with the number of entries this year, especially after the fleet got battered last time round - it certainly doesn't look like anyone got put off,' said Event Chairman David Buckland.
'At this stage we're looking at 15-20 knot winds for the start of the race, which should make things pretty exciting; it'll be competitive - there's no doubt about that,' he said.
High profile South Australian Sydney to Hobart contender 'Secret Men's Business' (SMB) will be joined on the start line by fellow Sydney to Hobart competitors 'True North' and Western Australian boat 'Finistere'.
The racing fleet also includes five yachts that have made their way over from Port Fairy in Victoria.
After this year breaking the Hobart record for fastest boat under 50 ft and fastest ever SA yacht to Hobart, the crew of Secret Men's Business has their minds set on breaking the Adelaide - Pt Lincoln Race Record - a feat that would require them to finish in under 15 hours and 01 minutes (they'll need to be in Lincoln before 6.01am).
The racing boats will do battle from 3pm this afternoon, sprinting along the Adelaide coast to Henley Beach, before turning right for Pt Lincoln.
'The Adelaide - Pt Lincoln Yacht Race has built a strong following nationally over its 59 year history.
'It's a race which offers some of Australia's most exciting waters and that's why the yachties come back year upon year,' Mr Buckland said.
The open ocean race is followed by the Lexus Lincoln Regatta - a week of racing offering spectacular flat-water sailing in Pt Lincoln's picturesque Boston Bay for IRC, Cruising, Multihull's, Trailables and J24's.
'The regatta is as much loved for its friendly hospitality and on-shore festivities as it is for its stunning flat water racing,' Mr Buckland said.
by Nicole Haack
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