Sydney to Hobart leaders in 'closest race we've been in', with four battling for line honours12/26/2018 Updated December 27, 2018 11:30:29
![]() As super maxis Comanche and Wild Oats XI tussle for the prime position to enter the River Derwent, Black Jack is pushing up to second place with InfoTrack close behind in a thrilling Sydney to Hobart race. As at 10:50am, the group of four leaders were less than five nautical miles apart as they head into Bass Strait, averaging 14 knots. Wild Oats XI is this year aiming to reverse its recent fortunes, after being penalised an hour by race officials after failing to keep clear while tacking during 2017's event, with Comanche sensationally awarded line honours in a record time of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds. Wild Oats XI crew member Chris Links told yacht race media the manoeuvring had continued through the night. "We crossed tacks with Comanche a couple of times this morning between 3:00 and 4:00am. We can just see Black Jack too. There's nothing in it. We're doing 18 knots in a northerly of 15 knots. We're on the edge of Bass Strait, entering it." Links said it was "the closest race we've been in", with Black Jack and InfoTrack adding to the drama. "We've been in close races with Comanche before, but never been in such a close race with four of us." InfoTrack, sailing as Perpetual Loyal, won line honours in 2016 and was fourth in 2017 before a penalty relegated it to 24th. ![]() Cruising Yacht Club of Australia commodore Paul Billingham said his "best estimate" would see the super maxis in the River Derwent by lunchtime tomorrow. Once the leaders round the Iron Pot and head into the Derwent, the wind can drop off, leaving crews agonisingly close to the finish line with nothing in the sails. "Day two is going to be a big one," commodore Billingham said. "The wind is dying, the major yachts are into Bass Strait." He said the handicap lead was "changing every five minutes" and described the race between the line honours leaders as a "cat and mouse game". ![]() ![]() Four yachts have been forced into retirement so far, taking the fleet of the 628-nautical-mile race down to 81. Patriot retired at sea with a broken rudder, M3 Team Hungary could not continue after being "dismasted", while Zen's race was ended due to "rig damage". On its Facebook page, the crew of Scallywag posted they had to pull out "due to the bowsprit breaking off". "Fortunately, no-one onboard were injured and the team are currently making their way back to shore the team is deeply saddened," Scallywag's crew wrote. ABC Hobart will be broadcasting the race finish live on Facebook. Topics:sailing,sport,hobart-7000,sydney-2000,australia First posted December 27, 2018 05:56:38 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-27/sydney-hobart-yacht-race-comanche-wild-oats-xi-battle-on-day-two/10635486
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