Master Lock Comanche Leads Day Two of 80th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Amid Fleet Retirements
On day two of the 80th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Master Lock Comanche is leading the fleet. By 8:30am AEDT, Comanche held a gap of about 4.5 nautical miles ahead of LawConnect, which remains in pursuit despite overnight challenges including a broken mainsheet and halyard that were repaired within approximately 20 minutes.
The race has seen several retirements affecting the fleet. Notably, Wild Thing 100, the first 100ft supermaxi, retired due to rigging damage east-north-east of Tuross Head with the crew safe and returning to Sydney around 4am on 27 December. This marks a setback for skipper Grant Wharington, who had recently overseen upgrades such as a taller mast installed in May. Other retirements overnight included Awen (broken forestay) and Trouble & Strife (engine issues). Prior to the start, Hutchies Yeah Baby (damaged headstay foil), White Noise (rigging issues), Inukshuk (rudder problem), and Yendys (broken backstay) had also withdrawn.
Comanche has opened a larger lead toward Eden, although the fleet is not expected to break Comanche's 2017 race record of 1 day 9 hours 15 minutes and 24 seconds. The chasing pack includes SHK Scallywag and Lucky, about five miles behind LawConnect, with 122 yachts remaining in the race.
Conditions overnight featured upwind sailing in about 25-knot winds with solid swell. Southerly winds eased by daybreak. Last year's first night was far more dangerous, with two sailors killed.
