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The deadline is 1700 hours on Friday, 1 November, with the CYCA Sailing Office expecting a late rush of nominations this weekend and during next week.

Applications to Enter received late today totalled 30 boats, with CYCA Sailing Manager Justine Kirkjian confident that the final line-up would be double that number. "The fleet will be smaller than last year when we also had the Volvo 60s racing to Hobart, but the quality of the fleet will be outstanding," she said.

Yachts representing France, Great Britain, New Zealand and the USA are among the early nominations with other overseas entries are expected from Sweden and the Netherlands. In size, they range from Redrock Communications at 8.9 metres LOA (length overall) to Leopard of London at 27.5 metres LOA.

Most Australian applications to enter have so far come from New South Wales, but the CYCA expects more boats from Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, although only two Tasmanians are expected, the smallest contingent from the Apple Isle since the early 1970s.

Applications to Enter the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race require owners to provide essential documentation verifying the boat's stability, rating speed limit, design and construction, and crew experience.

At least 50% of the crew must hold a certificate confirming they have satisfactorily completed an Australian Yachting Federation Sea Safety and Survival Course or a recognised similar course.

Yachts must also complete a qualifying race for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, one of them being the 408 nautical mile Gosford to Lord Howe Island Race which starts from Broken Bay, north of Sydney, at 1300 hrs local time tomorrow 26 October.

Once a yachts Application to Enter has been approved by the CYCA, the final entry must be lodged no later than 2 December.