Following the withdrawal of high profile yachtsmen Chris LINKS and Nathan WILMOT, a number of other ‘rock stars’ have put their hands up including Blackburn, who will sail with Martin HILL, and McNichol, who will join his 18 foot winning crewman Seve JARVIN and Seve’s father Steve, an Olympic and world champion Etchells sailor, for a serious tilt at the trophy.

Blackburn recently made headlines for successfully sailing his Laser 115 nautical miles across Bass Strait in 13.5 hours.

Simon REFFOLD from the Sydney 38 class is a regatta latecomer, as is Adam BARNES, who is well known around the waterfront, and Youth Sailing Academy graduate Marcus JONES, who will lead the Yendys crew.

Sunday’s outlook is for north-north-westerly winds of 10 knots, freshening to 18-23 knots in the afternoon.

‘We are expecting very exciting racing by mid afternoon,’ said organiser Jenni BOONITCHA yesterday.

Olympic Soling sailor and international umpire, Neville WITTEY, will be the chief umpire for the Mount Gay Rum Regatta. He will be well supported by national umpire Andrew BAGLAN.

The first race of the six-race regatta will start in the vicinity of Rushcutters Bay at approximately 10:45 on Sunday 3 April, 2005.