Canberra sailor Trevor Golding's first "blue water classic" has been years in the making but that doesn't mean he's dreaming of a miracle victory in the Sydney to Hobart.

Golding will be the only Canberra sailor in the famous race on Boxing Day after injury forced Erik Adriaanse to withdraw and in the absence of a Canberra  Ocean Racing Club entry.

But Golding, who's no stranger to sailing, knows teh Sydney to Hobart is a different beats and finishing would be an achievement in itself.

Golding will fly for the flag for Canberra on board "Mondo", the Sydney 38 boat that has been a staple along the east coast of Australia for the past five years.

The 48-year-old has sailed with owner Ray Sweeney's team in Hamilton Island over the past few years which opened the door for his maiden Sydney to Hobart campaign.

Golding was supposed to take part in the race two years ago but pulled the pin because he didn't see eye to eye with the skipper.

He laughs he won't be setting his expectations too high as he prepares for his first stint in the treacherous race.

"Finish. That's about it, just to finish. It's also one of the smallest boats," Golding said.

"[I'm expecting] a bit of everything. I don't think you can really set yourself on anything, it's going to happen whether it happens or it doesn't. You've just got to expect what happens.

"[Prepare for] everything... [Hopefully] we sail down with the kite, that'll be the highest expectations we can ask for."

He could have thrown a few questions the way of Canberra's Sydney to Hobart regular Adriaanse, but the 67-year-old has pulled out with injury.

With the best part of 30 years worth of experience to draw on, Adriaanse knows how the race will play out like the back of his hand.

Adriaanse's tally of 28 Sydney to Hobart campaigns means he has missed the race just twice in three decades - one after his wife's mother passed away and another after the disaster of 1998.

But he will be left to "play virtual sailing" and follow the race online after he had a fall in the gym and over-extended his shoulder, leaving his arm strength at well below 100 per cent.

"It's been 30 years that I've been competing. I've only had two years off in 30 years so it's been very much a pattern and the family have been very good," Adriaanse said.

"They've tolerated this and mentally I'm usually out of there a couple of days before Christmas. This year I'll be fully focused [on the family].

"It was not to be [this year] so it looks like this year I'm out, then next year I'll probably sail and then do the 30th on the 75th anniversary so that's what's going to happen.

"It looks like a bit of a shame, the first time in 19 or 20 years I haven't actually raced. The last time I didn't race was in 1999, so a bit of a shame but that's what happens unfortunately."

While the Sydney to Hobart race has become somewhat of a tradition for the Adriaanse family, missing out this time does have some benefits.

Adriaanse has been able to dedicate his time to family instead of preparing to tame dangerous waves on an ominous journey, and for the first time in a while he was even able to wrap some Christmas presents.