Rolex Farr 40 Worlds

Bob Fisher sums up the formidable competition for today's first race

Richardson is back with Barking Mad and the tactician who helped him to his 1998 victory, GBR Challenge's Adrian Stead. Also from that squad are navigator, Julian Salter and sail trimmers Morgan Trubovich and Dave Scott. Richardson is keen to regain the title, particularly since he finished second in the class' Europeans last week
There are many other top names of sailing among the crews. Multi-champion Flavio Favini is aboard Massimo Mezzaroma's Nerone, while fellow Italian, Renato Mazzeschi has imported the local talent of Olympian, Cathy Foster.

British sailors are in great demand, none more so than those from the GBR Challenge, currently in a rest period in their training prior to setting up camp in New Zealand for the southern hemisphere summer. Sailing Manager, Ian Walker, who many expect to take the skipper's role, will be with Oscar Strugstad on Dawn Raid. Strugstad has also recruited from that organisation, trimmer Simon Fry, and James Stagg, who many consider the best bowman in Britain. The effect has been dynamic and the team proved this by winning the Farr 40 European Championship which finished on Sunday.

After a disappointing performance at the Europeans, Mark Heeley will be sailing with a fine mixture of professional and amateur stars in his crew aboard GBR-25. In addition to former America's Cup crewman, Mel Coleman, he has a dynamic duo of Sydney gold medallist, Iain Percy, as tactician and David Howlett as navigator.

The most famous of the professionals is Russell Coutts, twice winner of the America’s Cup. Coutts will be organising the strategy for his new Cup 'boss', Ernesto Bertarelli of Switzerland. Joining him aboard Alinghi will be three other members of that challenge, Warwick Fleury, Simon Daubney and Curtis Blewett. Other members of that syndicate, Murray Jones and Dean Phipps, will race for France on Aleph with Hughes Lepic.

New Zealanders are found all over the place and the Kiwi-born, part-resident of Annapolis, new-Italian and member of the Prada syndicate for the America’s Cup, Gavin Brady, is no exception. Together with fellow itinerant Kiwi, Sean Clarkson, Brady will be aboard Steve Kaminer's Predator, representing the United States.

Altogether 22 boats will be competing representing nine nations.