The 80th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race continues to develop its own unique narrative as the fleet presses south into a sustained southerly and difficult sea state.
Overnight, the five 30.5 metre (100 foot) maxis became four as Wild Thing 100 retired with rigging issues. At the front, Master Lock Comanche took advantage of close-rival LawConnect’s own difficulties in the dark to establish a slender lead of between three and four miles. That lead has held steady throughout day two, but is a long way from being decisive. A wind transition predicted to occur tonight could be crucial in determining both the line honours contest and overall race result.
As the leaders stretch out across Bass Strait, and approach Tasmania, the rest of the fleet extends northwards as far as Jervis Bay, on the New South Wales coast.
The southerly is currently blowing between 20 – 25 knots and a damaging seaway remains in play. Some 15 yachts have retired since the start, primarily with equipment problems, but some declaring crew fatigue and sea-sickness as the reason.
First held in 1945, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is a legendary contest. Rolex has partnered the event, organized by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in conjunction with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, since 2002, and the annual 628nm race is at the very core of the Swiss watchmaker’s near 70-year-long association with the sport of yachting.
