WILD THING AND MARI-CHA SAIL OUT OF SYDNEY HEADS AT START OF SYDNEY TO HOBART...

The Australian yacht 'Wild Thing' (L) sails next to the superyacht 'Mari-Cha', sailing as a demonstration entry only, as they head out of Sydney Heads ahead of the Australian Jutson-designed 76-foot yacht 'Brindabella' (Top R) at the start of the annual 630-nautical mile Sydney-Hobart yacht race December 26. The Bureau of Meteorology are predicting north to north-easterly winds to reach around 30 to 35 knots in Bass Strait during the race, but are not expecting the freak storm that exploded on last years Sydney-Hobart fleet which killed six sailors and forced 55 to be winched to safety by rescue helicopters as the winds reached 80 knots and waves 15-20 metres (50-65 feet). DG/DL