Battle of the Supermaxi - Is this a Swansong for Britain's Leopard

5:32 PM Wed 23 Dec 2009 GMT

As the Rolex Sydney Hobart weather models keep throwing up different scenarios, British property developer Mike Slade, owner of the 100 footer ICAP Leopard, the 2009 Rolex Fastnet line honours winner has mixed feelings about what could be the last Sydney Hobart for his supermaxi.

'We're better off upwind in a breeze relative to the other big boats. If it's a (upwind) bash, everyone says that's great for Leopard, but the harder part is that it isn't much fun.

Mike Slade- Rolex Sydney Hobart 2009 - ICAP Leopard - Andrea Francolini &copy

'If I've got a choice and I'm going over 20 knots I'd prefer to go downwind. I'll keep my fingers crossed. If we can see 25 knots going all the way down to Gabo Island that's going to be very quick.

'It's difficult to predict what's going to happen where but you play that as it comes. If you're in the lead you'd better get it right, because the others can see you when you get in there.

'The current isn't a big issue for the bigger boats, particularly in those sorts of breezes. It all depends when we get down to Bass Strait as to whether the breeze is going left or right.

Who can win? 'I would hate to say that we could take out Wild Oats XI because she has been an unbelievable boat and it's probably been one of the best boats that you'll ever be so in terms of consistency.'

'It should be Neville (Crichton), Wild Oats XI beat his Alfa Romeo in 2005 but the two boats are much changed since then. She's obviously fast now. She had a terrific run in the Transpac where she knocked that record off by a ridiculous 24 hours and you can't rule Neville out; you never could and you never should.

'If I come third I think I'll be doing well with those two; they are the two most amazing boats.

Of the others?

'Sean Langman's Loyal (formerly Maximus) was a fantastic boat in 2004 and 2005. It stumbled a bit recently but I wouldn't rule that out either if they've got the right breeze.

'And Wharro is Wharro (Grant Wharington) - I am sure his Etihad Stadium will make the start line and if conditions are light, we will be looking at his stern.

'Overall, we've got our work cut out and I'd hate to say we can beat these guys when they are extremely good.

They're knowledgeable, tough and they know what they're getting themselves into.

'In 2007 Wild Oats beat us 27 minutes or something; that was exciting. We were disappointed but it was a lighter, downwind VMG race which didn't suit us at all and I was quite pleased we got that place to her.

'That was her third time running, so Bob Oatley came over and we all had a beer and implored me to come next year.

'I said I can't afford to keep doing this, this is getting crazy.

'This is probably going to be our last shot at this; the fourth time we've done it, '93 to '03 to '07 and here we are now. I think we're as well prepared now and we're the best boat we could be.

'We're going to give it a good, last hard shot.

'Of course if we were lucky enough to win.well we'd have to defend that victory', he smiles

by Rob Kothe