Sydney: American super-yacht Comanche was leading the fleet in Australia’s Sydney to Hobart on Saturday, after bolting out of the harbour at the start of the gruelling 628-nautical-mile (1,163 kilometre) race.
Australian rival and 2014 line honours winner Wild Oats XI had initially led in the moments after the starter’s horn blew, but was overtaken by supermaxi Perpetual Loyal before Comanche took the lead after unfurling her big spinnaker.
“We have the hammer down, doing 29 knots,” skipper Ken Read reported as Comanche remained in the lead as she neared Jervis Bay later on Saturday, taking advantage of the brisk northerly wind.
“We’ve got to go fast in these conditions that suit us and put distance between us and the rest.
“The southerly is due in four to five hours. If it is sailable, we should still have the advantage, and take more miles out of the others.”
Officials have warned of thunderstorms and gales later on Saturday as the fleet travel down the east coast of Australia, saying those at the back of the pack will see the worst of the weather.
“For the leading boats, the further south they can get the better,” Michael Logan from the Bureau of Meteorology said.
“But for the back boats that looks like where the gales are and where the change will pack its strongest punch. And the boats furthest south will get the moderating breeze first.”
It was an eventful beginning to the race, with three yachts retiring early after collisions shortly after the start, and another a short time later, bringing the fleet down to 104.
Among them was Ark323, one of two Chinese entries and one of 27 foreign boats in the race, which draws spectators on land and in boats in Sydney on Boxing Day.
“Ark323, one of two Chinese entries, retired following a collision 300 metres after the start. All on board were safe,” race organisers said in a statement.
Australian boat Cougar II retired at about the same time with damage to her starboard quarter while the British entry Lupa of London also pulled out with a damaged bow after a collision.
“We were sailing on starboard tack from the start and three boats got locked together — we were in the middle with nowhere to go,” Lupa’s tactician Laurent Pages said.
“This was the worst thing — the worst feeling — a stupid accident. We are shattered — we came a long way. It seems so unfair.”
Another boat, M3, also pulled out after shattering its forestay, her crew deciding that the harsh weather forecast ruled out a possible repair and rejoining of the race.
Forecasters expect north-easterly winds to strengthen to 20 knots or 30 knots during Saturday evening, with thunderstorms and some gusts reaching well over 30 knots.
The strength and duration of the southerly winds is expected to be crucial in determining the winner of the race organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
The winds are expected to ease on Sunday, and will be light off the coast of Tasmania as the boats head to Hobart’s Constitution Dock.
Storms are part and parcel of the race, with six people dying, five boats sinking and 55 sailors rescued on a fatal night in 1998 when a deep depression exploded over the fleet in the treacherous Bass Strait.
While Comanche remains in the lead, Wild Oats XI, Ragamuffin 100, Rambler, Black Jack and Perpetual Loyal are still in the chase for line honours.
Wild Oats holds the race record of one day, 18 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds set in 2012.
