A cruising yacht has entered the Sydney-Hobart Race on Boxing Day. Quiddity, a Grand Soleil 43 which a young Dutch couple have cruised 17,000 nautical miles from the Netherlands in to Australia will be among the fleet.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has now received more than 50 Applications to Enter the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with its sights set on a fleet of 60 setting sail in the 630 nautical mile ocean challenge on Boxing Day, 26 December.

The Club’s decision to extend the deadline for nominations until 15 November has seen a late upsurge, including enquiries from overseas yachtsmen looking to charter local boats.

The CYCA has received Applications to Enter from six overseas nations, Great Britain, the USA, New Zealand, Sweden and, late last week, from the Netherlands and France. As well as 44 boats from Australia.