Perpetual Loyal leaves her parking haven at Rose Bay for a trio of major races each year. After a three-way fight to the final miles of last year’s Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, Perpetual Loyal finished second on line to Wild Oats XI by just over two hours, beating Black Jack by just under two hours. This time, Bell’s only likely company for line honours will be Black Jack and perhaps Chinese Whisper, if the weather gods put deliver messy conditions.

Anthony Bell did not have the best 2014 - looking good in the early stages of the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, a spinnaker tangle cost him the race. Then, not 24 hours into the Rolex Sydney Hobart, the super maxi retired after suffering hull delamination after hitting an object. Bell’s yacht was second over the line in the 2013 Hobart by three hours and 10 minutes, but with his previous yacht, took line honours from Wild Oats XI in the 2011 Hobart. Possible record-breaking conditions would ease Bell’s pain.