There will be a muted atmosphere when 80 yachts line up for the start of the 55th annual Sydney-Hobart Race on St Stephen's Day.

In the wake of last year's disaster when a storm struck the fleet in the Bass Strait, wrecking many of the competing boats and causing the deaths of six sailors, there are 35 fewer competitors and far more stringent safety controls.

Twelve months ago winds gusting to more than 75 knots screamed through the strait. Seven yachts were abandoned and five of those foundered, 12 sought assistance and only 44 of the 115 starters completed the 630-mile course.

The standard of radio communications has been improved by the fitting of communication terminal units on all the boats and the requirement for upgraded electronic position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB). Australia's most sophisticated Search & Rescue helicopter, a Sikorsky S76A, with paramedics aboard, will overfly the fleet throughout.

The race sponsor, Telstra, has funded the purchase and installation of the terminals on all participating yachts and has arranged training for crew members and race organisers to use the satellite communications service.

There will be a new dedicated race radio frequency of 4603.6 kHz in addition to existing mandatory frequencies.

"The active sailors know that the Sydney to Hobart can be tough and they accept this as part of the challenge - most of those guys are back competing again this year," said George Snow, the owner of the 76foot Brindabella, fully expected to be the first to finish in Hobart.