As the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race fleet settles into its first night at sea after the start, don't be surprised if some of the smaller boats like White Bay 6 Azzurro are well in the frame.
Based on Monday's long-range weather forecast for the race that starts at 1 pm on St. Stephen's Day, predictions set up a tight race with a forecast for early southerlies, possible rain and thunderstorms, a high-pressure ridge on days one, two or three that could see winds turn easterly, and numerous transitions.
The 100-footers should still lead, but their margin may not be as great as usual. The smaller boats like Shane Kearns' White Bay 6 Azzurro might be able to use the shifting conditions, minimise their losses, and set up their bids to win the Tattersall Cup.
Kearns' S&S 34-footer, built-in 1981, has been a regular overall challenger in recent years. However, there are other yachts in the 2021 fleet that fall into the same frame. These include Simon Kurts' S&S 47, Love & War, and Bruce Taylor's Caprice 40 Chutzpah.
Still, there is something about White Bay 6 Azzurro, registered with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which indicates this may be her standout year.
After first being sailed by Kearns in the 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart to 33rd overall, she has continued to rise as a threat. In 2015 as Quikpoint Azzurro, she almost took the overall victory from Balance.