The biggest and smallest boats in the Sydney to Hobart are in top-five contention for the overall trophy, including line honours leader Comanche.
While all eyes are on her predicted Monday evening arrival at Constitution Dock as first across the line, 100-foot Comanche is also sitting fifth in the standings for handicap honours.
Second in the line honours race, American boat Rambler, is third and at No.2 is the race fleet's smallest contender, NSW boat Quickpoint Azzurro, measuring just 33 feet and carrying a crew of six.
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia commodore John Cameron said that having the big names in contention for overall victory adds an exciting element to the race.
"We need these maxis in the race to give the presence they provide for the news of the world," Cameron told AAP on Monday.
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"Without that drawcard the race doesn't have that presence on the world stage.
"But it's great if this year we are going to be looking at both Rambler and Comanche being somewhere near taking the handicap honours - it's going to add a lot more interest to the Tattersall's trophy."
On Monday morning the lead contender for overall winner is NSW boat King Billy.
But Cameron warned the standings can quickly change in the handicap stakes and that he is backing 2014 champion Wild Rose to again come near to success.
Cameron explained the prestige attached to the overall champion title.
"The only way we can handicap a yacht is by applying a time correction factor ... developed by the measurements of the boat and the measurement and size of the sails and how they perform," he said.
"It then brings it back to the ability of the people who are sailing the boats to beat the other boats."
In 2012 Wild Oats XI took both line and handicap honours in the Sydney to Hobart when she finished in a record one day, 18 hours and 23 minutes.
