Organisers of this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race plan to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the fateful 1998 event in which six sailors lost their lives.
A minute's silence will be observed at a number of pre and post race functions and there will also be a wreath laying service at Hobart at the dockside public announcement of the overall winner.
Over 100 boats have entered the 628 nautical mile race, which starts on Boxing Day on Sydney harbour.
While 12 yachts from nine countries comprise one of the larger international entries of recent times, there is no new foreign maxi to challenge Australia's Wild Oats XI, which is going for a record-breaking fourth straight line honours victory.
There is still a question mark over the Russian maxi Trading Network/Alye Parusa, which is battling to make the race in time after having to build a new keel, which has delayed the boat's departure from Auckland.
The only other maxi definitely scheduled to start in the race is another Australian entrant Skandia.
