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The Official
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Saltash 11 sailed into Australian offshore racing history when she won her sixth race in 2003, surpassing the mighty Norseman which was built in the Bulimba boatyard of their grandfather Norman R WRIGHT Snr to win five races in the 1950's.
Norseman like Saltash 11 was a downwind flyer and the modern day Wright family sailing team will need another moderate to fresh spinnaker sailing forecast to outpace an impressive group of challengers to win the 57 year old Courier-Mail Cup for the seventh time.
Saltash 11 has the proven record to win again but this year's challenge is shaping up to be her most serious test to finish ahead of several high profile crews.
Heading the challenge will be the Sydney-Hobart race winning skippers Ed PSALTIS who steered AFR Midnight Rambler through the Bass Strait storm to win in 1998 and 2003 champion Michael SPIES in First National Real Estate.
Both AFR Midnight Rambler and First National Real Estate will command respect but the spinnaker sailing forecast will favour the sprint machines with Saltash 11 needing to match her pace against the exciting Mumm 30's Tow Truck and Immigrant.
Tow Truck skillfully raced by her Lake Macquarie skipper Anthony PATERSON upstaged AFR Midnight Rambler and First National Real Estate to win the Sydney Mooloolaba race last Saturday, ahead of class rival Gladstone skipper Jeff PAUL in Immigrant.
All five crews have the proven qualifications however Saltash 11 which has recorded all six wins in south east winds will again be favoured to finish ahead of her more modern challengers.