Early forecasts indicate mild weather conditions for the start of this year's Melbourne to Hobart yacht race.
The race, split into two courses - the West Coaster and the East Coaster - along with the Melbourne to Devonport, form the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's Tassie Trio.
The fleets for all three races depart Portsea on December 27 after competing in the annual Cock of the Bay race from Port Melbourne to Blairgowrie on Boxing Day.
ORCV spokesperson Jennifer McGuigan said spectators who took up vantage points along Melbourne's bayside suburbs would not be disappointed.
"We run the first part of that race between Port Melbourne and Sandringham close to shore, which makes it quite a sight for spectators," McGuigan said of the race that gets underway at 10:30am (AEDT).
"Most races are so far offshore that you can't see anything, but we'll have over 60 boats in that race, which will be quite spectacular."
Gusto, a 66-footer, is the current record holder for the Cock of the Bay and is favourite for line honours in the Melbourne to Devonport race.
Veteran skipper Lawrie Ford's Spirit of Downunder is favoured for line honours on the West Coaster course, while Ray Shaw's 46-footer XLR8 is the boat to beat in the east.
The race record for the 440 nautical mile West Coaster, set by Shockwave in 2008, is just under one day and 18 hours, while Goldfinger set the East Coaster record of just over two days in 2012.
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