A Quarter of Sydney to Hobart Fleet Retire Amid Nasty Seas as New Leader Emerges
The 80th Sydney to Hobart yacht race has entered its third day with challenging conditions including 25-knot winds and four-metre swells, leading to the retirement of 33 boats out of the original fleet. As a result, 95 yachts remain in the competition.
Hong Kong-owned Scallywag overtook rivals Master Comanche and LawConnect to take the lead in a three-way battle off Tasmania. Master Comanche, skippered by Matt Allen and James Mayo, is seeking redemption after retiring from last year's race due to mainsail damage. LawConnect is aiming for a third consecutive win.
Several notable retirements occurred due to damage and safety concerns. Kraken 42S withdrew after a crew member suffered suspected broken ribs and the yacht experienced electrical issues, proceeding to sail back to the New South Wales coast. Ragtime also retired after losing its liferaft overboard, while Moneypenny had previously lost a liferaft. URM Group retired with hull damage, marking its second retirement in two years, and Wild Thing 100 is among other high-profile casualties.
Skipper Grant Wharington described the seas as nasty and cautioned that makeshift repairs might not hold under the upwind conditions, emphasizing concerns about the mast’s value and insurance.
The race is expected to finish on Sunday in Hobart; however, it is unlikely to beat the course record of 1 day 9 hours 15 minutes 24 seconds set in 2017.
