Wild Oats XI heads a list of 100 entries for the 72nd Sydney to Hobart yacht race seeking to reclaim line honours glory with a ninth win.
With entries now closed, the foreign fleet has expanded to 12 boats from nine countries, including a first from South Korea.
While American speedster Comanche will not be back to defend the line honours crown she wrested from the Mark Richards-skippered Wild Oats last year, the field includes four super maxis - Wild Oats XI, Scallywag from Hong Kong, Perpetual LOYAL and 2000 line honours winner Ludde Ingvall, with a yet to be named yacht.
Three Volvo Open 70s - Black Jack, Giacomo (NZL) and Maserati - are joined by an 80-footer (Beau Geste, Hong Kong), a 66-footer (Alive) and a 62-footer (Chinese Whisper) in having a crack at line and overall honours.
Last year's overall handicap winner, Paul Clitheroe's Balance, along with past overall winners Victoire (2013); Wild Oats XI (2005 and 2012), Primitive Cool (2010 as Secret Mens Business); Two True (2009); Love & War (1974, 1978 and 2006); The Banshee (1995 as Terra Firma) and China Easyway (co-won as She's Apples II in 1991).
"It's exciting to see a highly competitive fleet of 100 entries," said Crusining Yacht Club of Australia John Markos.
"While many are returning, the level of interest has increased with 12 internationals campaigning boats from China, UK, Sweden, Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and the USA,"
"Four super maxis, six other grand prix big boats and an incredibly strong field trying to win the Tattersall's Cup, including some vintage yachts - I am sure we have an exhilarating race on our hands."
