The overall race win is not awarded to the first boat over the finish line, but is determined by a complex handicap system.
Azzurro skipper Shane Kearns said it is a system that can reward the smaller boats that sail well.
“As long as the handicapping is good, it gives everyone an equal chance and then it’s just down to your preparation,” Kearns said.
“They [The big boats] don’t intimidate us at all.
“In fact, they are probably more intimidated by us, because when they’re finished we’re still going, and they know that we can still beat them right until the end.”