Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
RACE UPDATE Thursday 1900 hours (8 hours after start)
After six hours of racing, the fleet has made significant progress down the New South Wales coast. With fast downwind conditions, high speeds are being recorded across the fleet.
While LawConnect led the fleet out of Sydney Heads, it is Master Lock Comanche that currently holds the upper hand in the Line Honours battle. Clocking speeds in the high-twenties some 60 nautical miles offshore from Potato Point, Master Lock Comanche maintains a strong lead. However, with LawConnect trailing by approximately 15 nautical miles and many miles still to race, the contest is far from decided.
The next group of yachts is led by Wild Thing 100, Celestial V70, URM Group, Zeus, Caro, and No Limit, all making rapid progress down the coast. Alice Parker, Navigator aboard URM Group, shared: “We are racing in a strong nor’easter with good waves. The wind is gusting up to 30 knots, so we are adjusting our sail wardrobe. We expect the wind to increase some more around 2100 hours.”
Further back, a cluster of 50- and 40-foot yachts remains tightly packed. At present, the wider downwind-optimised designs are capitalising on the conditions. Among them are Chutzpah, Mayfair, Voltstar, Yeah Baby, Extasea, Bacchanal, Cocody, and Advantedge. It will be fascinating to watch the two JPK 11.80s – Bacchanal and Cocody – compete in their own race within a race.
The leading double-handed yacht, Mistral, has covered 72 nautical miles so far, reaching speeds of up to 18 knots. The next double-hander is Pacman (further inshore) and Lord Jiminy.
Currently leading on IRC is Zeus with Caro and Smuggler in second and third. Cocodyand Chutzpah are currently fourth and fifth.
In PHS it is Quetzalcoatl who is leading the charge, with Mako and Journeymen Flat White in second and third.
Two yachts have retired from the race so far. Alive was the first to withdraw at 1610hrs due to engine issues. Shortly after, Transcendence Rudy Project dismasted. All crew members are safe and are returning to port.
