All eyes will be upon George Snow's Brindabella, Australia's most famous maxi as she goes head-to-head with the bigger Maxis; Nicorette, Wild Thing, and the brand-new Shockwave in this year's battle for line honours. The victory went to Brindabella in the 1997 race but since then has been beaten by faster rivals. Brindabella has a string of race records behind her and a highly experienced crew aboard including navigator Lindsay May, helmsman Bob Fraser and 18 foot skiff champion Jack Young, and should never be underestimated.