While the leaders of the Rolex Sydney Hobart have already enjoyed the race prizegiving 13 yachts from the fleet of 116 that started on Boxing Day are expected to still be at sea at midnight tonight to greet 2005.

According to the Yacht Tracker, seven boats will cross the Castray Esplanade finish line between now (4 pm) and midnight.

Two Tasmanian entries, the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania entry Quality Equipment (Alf Doedens) and the sole entry from the Tamar Yacht Club, Sailmaker (Jason Van Zetten) will most likely be in or near the Derwent River or approaching it in Storm Bay.

The tailender of the fleet, the 31-footer Gillawa (ACT) is 70 nautical miles north east of Flinders Island, averaging five knots and with 285 miles to sail to reach Hobart. Her estimated time of arrival in Hobart is late on January 3.