Fed: Light weight yachts racing just for publicity

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2000
Fed: Light weight yachts racing just for publicity

A former Sydney to Hobart winner has criticised light-weight maxi yachts who enter the
race for the publicity.

Catamaran builder ROBERT CLIFFORD says the light-weight boats are built for harbour
racing, and are not strong enough for the trip across the Bass Strait.

MR CLIFFORD says design requirements for the race should be reviewed to discourage
maxis that are not proper ocean racing yachts to enter.

He also says boats that enter mainly for the publicity at the start of the race only
to pull out once they realise how hard it will be, often spoil it for the genuine ocean
racers.

Swedish maxi Nicorette limped to a decisive line honours win in the Sydney to Hobart
yacht race early this morning after taking a terrible battering in the final hours.

Nicorette completed the race in two days, 14 hours, two minutes and nine seconds --
the second fastest in the race's 56 year history.

AAP RTV eg/art/hn

KEYWORD: YACHT SYDHOB CLIFFORD (CANBERRA)

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