The China Mail - Skippers brace for gale-force winds in demanding Sydney-Hobart

A fleet of 105 will set sail from Sydney Harbour in one of the world's great ocean races before they head down Australia's east coast, then tackle the notorious Bass Strait towards the Tasmanian state capital Hobart.

In the final race briefing, meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said the boats can expect fine weather and brisk north-easterly winds to get them underway before gusts strengthen as they fly down the coast.

"We'll see those winds strengthening and potentially getting gale-force speeds, particularly along the southern parts of the New South Wales coast on Thursday," she said.

Woodhouse added that a strong south-westerly change would move across the Bass Strait on Friday morning, potentially bringing showers, lightning, thunder and swells of up to four metres (13 feet).

Wind speeds could reach 40 knots (74 kilometres per hour).

Weather is a critical factor in the race, which was first held in 1945, with winds often shifting rapidly in direction and intensity.

In 1998, when a deep depression exploded over the fleet in the Bass Strait, six men died, five boats sank and 55 sailors were rescued.

LawConnect edged Comanche last year by just 51 seconds after a treacherous 628 nautical mile journey with the two 100-footers again set to battle for line honours.

Two other supermaxis are entered -- Wild Thing and Maritimo.

LawConnect skipper Christian Beck said he relished the forecast conditions.

"I think from our point of view, the harder it is, the better it is," he said.

"We've had a crew that's been together for six years. We hope our crew is our main strength. The harder it is, the more that comes to our advantage. So, we're pretty happy with the forecast overall."

Four-time champion Comanche is the current race record holder after it surged over the finish line in one day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds to set a new mark in 2017.

Comanche co-skipper James Mayo said that strategy would be key, adding "it's definitely good conditions, better than waking up on Boxing Day knowing that you're facing a southerly."

"It's about keeping the boat in one piece, you know there's going to be some good rides.

"It's about getting there safely and working through those transitions as we enter Bass Strait and getting through those as best as possible."

Alive, last year's overall winner of the Tattersall Cup, which takes into account boat size and other factors, will again be contention to defend its title.

Other previous overall winners in the fleet include Centennial 7 (formally Celestial) and Love and War.

W.Tam--ThChM