7:15 PM Wed 23 Dec 2009 GMT
Its early morning on Christmas Eve 'down under' in Sydney Australia and as dawn breaks the latest news is that Grant Wharington's Etihad Stadium actually has her new four spreader mast standing vertical.
With just 54.5 hours until seven 98-100 footers line up for the 65th Rolex Sydney to Hobart, we can only admire the guts and determination from Wharro and his crew and join every other sailor on the Sydney waterfront in wishing them well. It might be two sleeps for 99 crews to the Hobart start but for the Etihad Stadium crews, they might just be power naps.
As the meteorologists debate the weather model most likely to succeed, we will hear more at this morning's weather briefings.
There are two iconic sporting events, on December 26th, the day after Christmas; there is the Boxing Day Test Cricket in Melbourne and the Start of the Sydney Hobart. The ABC National Radio network broadcasts the cricket ball by ball and for eons that has clashed with the Hobart start.
But someone has blinked; now the cricket starts 30 minutes earlier and at Sydney Hobart start time, the cricketers are at lunch and so for the first time, the ABC will be broadcasting live from Sydney Harbour.
This humble scribe will be calling the start along with the ABC's Peter Newlinds on Grandstand, the ABC's premier sports program.
While the Hobart battle is for The Tattersalls Cup, the handicap trophy, the mainstream audience will be fascinated with the seven big boats as they fight their way out of the harbour, will a couple of 40-50 footers please put their hands up, get a blinder of a start and steal the limelight.
Peter and I will do our best to talk about the 'real race' and of course that will be Sail-World's online focus.
See you at the Sea-mark on Saturday if not before.
Will be starting the day with a coffee on the CYCA deck shortly.
We are looking to talk to as many skippers as we can find right now. You can reach us on 0418 441359 or stick your head into the CYCA Media Centre, we'll be there.
During the race, you can provide mid race reports via our Sail-World digital recording system.
Ring 02 856 920 88 or +61285692088
You can reach us on Skype at sailworldaustralia
by Rob Kothe & the Sail-World Team
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