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Martyn RILEY's record breaking Victorian catamaran Raw Nerve, which power sailed to an amazing course time of 18 hours, 55 minutes and 9 seconds for an average speed of 16.28 knots, is the line honours favourite but she could be seriously challenged if the unpredictable light wind forecast becomes a reality later this week.

Raw Nerve is a power sailing sprint machine when the wind blows hard and sea becomes rough but her dominating power and pace slips dramatically in light winds allowing the smaller and lighter Brisbane catamaran Team Raider, owned by Joel BERG, and previous line honours winner Flat Chat, jointly owned and skippered by Sydney's Darren DREW and Gary MARTIN, to press a claim for the first to finish and corrected handicap trophies.

Team Raider, the 2004 Australian Ocean Racing champion and the defending Brisbane to Gladstone handicap winner, will again race with Geoff BERG and his sons Joel and Tim aboard.

Joel, rated as an accomplished all weather sailor following his win in the physically demanding 5,000nm Melbourne to Osaka race with Jon SAYER on Team FGI, is race prepared to defend the trophy.

The BERG sailing team really does not mind what strength of wind blows over the deck because they have the combined ability to sail Team Raider to her rating in fickle, fresh or frightening winds.

Flat Chat is an exciting performer and her crew promises to enter the tactical contest with a very talented trio of helmsman including Gold Coast skipper Graham ARGALL to support Drew and Martin to sail Flat Chat flat chat over every testing mile of the 310nm race.

'The size and power makes Raw Nerve the first choice if the winds are fresh, hopefully there will something in the forecast for us a 10 to 15 knot breeze and slight seas would be just perfect for Flat Chat,' said Drew.