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The heavy steel cruiser needs plenty of breeze to achieve good results and is a regular competitor in the Gosford-Lord Howe Race, where she finished first in PHS division in the 2002 race followed by a PHS Overall win in the Rolex Sydney Hobart in the same year.

Bill missed the Gosford-Lord Howe event this year to undergo a triple bypass - or 'grease and oil change' as he refers to it - but is looking forward to being back at the helm for the trip to Hobart. <i>'We had the right weather conditions for Delta Wing when we won our division in the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002 with a full spinnaker run,' </i>said Bill.

<i>'I doubt we'll have as much luck with the conditions this year, but taking a quiet little cruise south seems the polite thing to do considering we've taken the silverware home before,'</i> he joked.

The 13.525m, Boden-designed boat is registered with both the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia and the Gosford Sailing Club and will arrive in Sydney on Christmas Day to prepare for the race.

The 8-man crew will sleep on board on Christmas night at a harbour mooring. Bill believes the extra time on the water helps everyone acclimatise to the movement of the boat to ease potential seasickness early in the race. <i>'It's a good way to settle before the adrenalin kicks in on Boxing Day,' </i>he said.