ONE budding Warwick sailor could have a chance to crew with a Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race team member at Leslie Dam on November 6.

Nathan Schmittmann, who crewed on Volvo 60 in the Sydney to Hobart race, is among the competitors at a regatta organised by the Brisbane 18 Footer Club.

Schmittmann, who is in the Sailtech crew of three, will be one of the six 18-footers this weekend.

Boats in the Sydney to Hobart race are between 50 feet (15m) and 100 feet (30m) - much longer than any boat at Leslie Dam this weekend.

But that doesn't mean the smaller boats are slower.

Sailtech skipper Adam Young said the 18 footers would reach speeds of 30 knots.

"The boats in Warwick this weekend will be faster than those which sail from Sydney to Hobart," he said.

Young said his team, which would compete in Warwick , aimed to contest the JJ Giltnam World Championships for 18 footers in Sydney Harbour during February.

"We are looking for a sponsor to get to the world championships," Young said.

Daily News chief-of-staff Jenna Cairney will join the crew on one 18 footer in a special race on November 6.

Regatta organisers have offered a spot on the remaining five boats to members of the public.

The lucky five will need to be at Warwick Sailing Club headquarters, on the foreshore of the dam, from 11am and get tickets in the draw at around 12.30pm.

They will then receive some instruction for the special race.

Smaller craft will sail in the mornings and the 18-footers in the afternoons.

Inquiries on the Warwick club to commodore Gerry Roche on 4661 4028.