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Loyal is hoping to take advantage of the rough conditions through Bass Strait. (Getty Images: Matt King)
Like a wily prize fighter eyeing off a bigger and quicker opponent, the skipper of Loyal is talking up his chances.
Despite Wild Oats XI being a strong favourite to take line honours, Sean Langman has seized on the forecast of heavy weather and gale force winds in Bass Strait to let the world know his yacht is a real chance of winning.
At this morning's official pre-race briefing, Langman would have smiled inwardly as the detail of the forecast was presented, a quiet start on the Harbour followed by, in the words of one senior forecaster, a "Southerly buster and 36 hours of rough weather".
For Langman, the heavier the weather the happier he will be.
"Loyal is built for racing in heavy ocean going. It'll make it easier for everyone, for the crew in particular," he said.
"She's an extremely strong boat. These heavy conditions are going to make for a much more even playing field."
Langman is referring to the things that seems to be capable of stopping Wild Oats XI's bid for a fifth line honours win in seen years: rough weather and possible resultant gear damage.
Loyal, as with any yacht skippered by Sean Langman, will be raced fast and expertly whatever the conditions.
The added element of her celebrity crew makes her an even more interesting contender.
With sports people as diverse as Matthew Hayden, Layne Beachley and Geoff Huegill on board alongside rugby brothers in arms Phils Waugh & Kearns and TV host Larry Emdur the 'all star' crew will create its own wave of interest.
"They're all winners," said Langman of his crew members known better for belting hundreds, sweeping to world championships and scrumming down on the biggest stages of world rugby.
"This race is as much about spirit and ticker as it is about sailing skill. These people just won't allow themselves to become a liability"
Working alongside the high profile novices on board Loyal will be a core of world class yachtsmen, America's Cup specialists and full-time ocean racers.
It will be interesting to see if the extremes of skill and experience can work together to create a winning formula.
Langman is adamant it can.
"We don't have celebrities on board, just a team of yachtsmen," he said.
At this morning's race briefing at the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia (CYCA), skippers and crew sat in attentive silence through detailed presentations from the Bureau of Meteorology, the Maritime Safety Authority and the Australian Hydrographic (Water Chart service).
CYCA Commodore Gary Linacre introduced the chair of the race committee Tim Cox who ran a fine tooth comb through safety procedures on and off on the water and Robert 'Biddy' Badenach of the Royal Yacht Club Of Tasmania reminded all that a notice outlining garbage collection procedures will be attached to the box of beer delivered to every yacht.
He recommended to skippers and crew read the notice before consuming the beer.
It was a rare moment of levity at a meeting where all concerned contemplate the daunting and possibly highly dangerous conditions that might await them.
At the close of the briefing, a media conference was the last sighting of the maxi skippers before Boxing Day.
Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards presented his usual laid back brand of confidence to complement Langman's 'why the hell not' bravado.
Around the docks at Rushcutters Bay it is an atmosphere of focus and calm, the fleet is moored quietly and the only real excitement tomorrow will be a morning visit from Santa Claus.
It's now a matter of checking and double checking, getting the procedures right, making sure all is in order while the mood is quiet and there's still plenty of time.
Come Boxing Day morning it won't be the same. These premises will be teaming with people and a feeling of palpable excitement will surround the commotion.
One day to come between now and then. One more day for all concerned to ponder the race ahead and what the weather and fate might have in store.
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