Former Sydney to Hobart line honours winner Nicorette will create a little piece of history by rushing back to Sydney to contest the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour yacht race.

The Swedish maxi, which will compete in the 226 nautical mile race as Travelex following a sponsorship deal, will be the first Sydney to Hobart finisher to also enter the Pittwater to Coffs event.

The short proximity in time between the two events normally means only retirees from the Sydney to Hobart have sufficient time to rush back to the harbour city for the latter event.

Nicorette, which finished fifth across the line in this years Sydney to Hobart on Saturday night, was expected to arrive in Sydney around 11pm on Wednesday night.

According to race organisers the 24-metre Swedish maxi is the biggest boat and first maxi to enter the Pittwater to Coffs race.

It is considered a prime contender to break the race record of 20h56m56s set in 1984 by The Office.

Organisers claimed the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race is the most popular event on the Australian racing calendar for the past four years after attracting 84 starters, 27 more than the Sydney to Hobart.

Australian yachting icon Iain Murray will make his first ocean racing appearance since skippering Bumblebee V to overall handicap victory in last year's Sydney to Hobart.

Murray will skipper a new 60-footer Wild Oats.

The fleet will also include a Volvo 60 yacht chartered by Andrew Short, who has flown back to Sydney after his Sydney 38 finished second in its division in the Sydney to Hobart.

NSW state opposition leader and local Pittwater member John Brogden will start the race from the deck of the Australian Navy mine-hunter HMAS Diamantina at 1pm AEST on Thursday.

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