Three new boats push for handicap win Three new boats are among the strong contenders for handicap honours in this year's Sydney to Hobart. Even with Loki, the dominant handicap performer of recent years, not competing in 2013, plenty of quality boats are in contention for the coveted Tattersall's Cup. The three highly rated newcomers are spread across the length range, with the 80-foot Beau Geste, owned by Hong Kong's Karl Kwok, at the top end. Matt Allen has recently unveiled his latest Ichi Ban, a 60-foot yacht, after recording a fourth and a fifth in his 70-foot previous boat of the same name. Among the smaller yachts is Tony Kirby's new 46-foot Patrice, which has collected a string of podium finishes in the first three months of its competitive life. I'm very confident. I've chosen a great all-rounder, which you need to win the Hobart race, " Kirby told AAP. You've got to be able to go well in all conditions and hang in there even when it's not the right conditions. It's my dream to win the Hobart race. I've done 28 races and I'm not going to give up until I win it. New Yachting Australia president Allen is similarly hungry for a handicap win in his own boat after being aboard Lou Abrahams' 1983 overall victor, Challenge. "You don't race to Hobart for your 24th time without serious passion for the race and the passion to attempt to win the race again," Allen told AAP. It was a wonderful experience of life, winning the race in 1983, and the memories are still very, very clear from 30 years ago. It would be lovely to repeat them. Allen joked that his banking background with experience in mergers and acquisitions had come in handy as he integrated several former Loki crew members into his team. Kwok has a perfect strike rate in the race, winning overall in his only crack in 1997, with a 49-foot previous Beau Geste. "I am definitely putting my batting average on the line," said Kwok, who is placing a higher priority on winning line honours. The bigger boats are tipped to again do well on handicap. Of the supermaxis, Grant Wharington's Wild Thing might be the best bet, being much lighter than its three main rivals. If conditions favour the smaller boats, Patrice and Roger Hickman's well-performed 28-year-old Farr 43 Wild Rose will come into contention.