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Wild Oats' lead narrows in Sydney-Hobart race
Source: Agencies |
December 28, 2011, Wednesday
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FAVORED supermaxi Wild Oats XI, line honors winner in five of the last six years, held a narrowing lead over its nearest rival as the fleet in the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race streamed across Bass Strait in lightening winds.
Wild Oats XI led last year's second-place finisher Investec Loyal by up to 15 nautical miles late yesterday but as the 100-footer sailed into an area of low pressure the wind fell away and its lead rapidly reduced.
On positions plotted at 0800 GMT, Wild Oats XI led by only 3.6 nautical miles from Investec Loyal with around 260 miles to the finish line in the 628 nautical mile race.
Wild Oats XI had sailed into an area of light winds and though Investec Loyal was sailing faster, it was heading into the same light weather system as the yachts neared the island state of Tasmania.
The battle for line honors became a virtual two-boat race when the supermaxi Wild Thing withdrew from the race yesterday with sail damage when running third.
The withdrawal of Wild Thing continued its unlucky run in the race. The 2003 line honours winner capsized in 2004, withdrew soon after the start in 2009 and hit a media boat at the start last year.
Wild Oats XI and Investec Loyal were left with a 30 mile lead over third-placed Lahana which was a further 31 miles ahead of fourth-placed Hugo Boss.
The contest for overall handicap honors was constantly evolving and at various times yesterday Wild Oats, Lahana, Wild Rose and Mondo held the outright lead.
Wild Thing's retirement was one of several withdrawals yesterday which reduced the fleet from 88 to 81 boats. Yachts and crews had been battered overnight by a southerly front that brought winds of up to 30 knots and rough sees.
Other casualties included Celestial, which broke the gooseneck that joins the boom to the mast, Accenture Yeah Baby with gear failure, Freefire with a mainsail problem and Duende with an injured crewman.
Duende pulled into Bermagui on the south coast of New South Wales state to allow injured crewman Tom Wormald to seek further treatment for a dislocated shoulder.
The leading yachts were now expected to reach the Derwent River, leading to the finish off Hobart, today evening at the earliest. Wild Oats navigator Ian Burns said he was expecting a stretch of 50 to 60 nautical miles heading towards the Tasmanian coast with virtually no wind.
Wild Oats XI led last year's second-place finisher Investec Loyal by up to 15 nautical miles late yesterday but as the 100-footer sailed into an area of low pressure the wind fell away and its lead rapidly reduced.
On positions plotted at 0800 GMT, Wild Oats XI led by only 3.6 nautical miles from Investec Loyal with around 260 miles to the finish line in the 628 nautical mile race.
Wild Oats XI had sailed into an area of light winds and though Investec Loyal was sailing faster, it was heading into the same light weather system as the yachts neared the island state of Tasmania.
The battle for line honors became a virtual two-boat race when the supermaxi Wild Thing withdrew from the race yesterday with sail damage when running third.
The withdrawal of Wild Thing continued its unlucky run in the race. The 2003 line honours winner capsized in 2004, withdrew soon after the start in 2009 and hit a media boat at the start last year.
Wild Oats XI and Investec Loyal were left with a 30 mile lead over third-placed Lahana which was a further 31 miles ahead of fourth-placed Hugo Boss.
The contest for overall handicap honors was constantly evolving and at various times yesterday Wild Oats, Lahana, Wild Rose and Mondo held the outright lead.
Wild Thing's retirement was one of several withdrawals yesterday which reduced the fleet from 88 to 81 boats. Yachts and crews had been battered overnight by a southerly front that brought winds of up to 30 knots and rough sees.
Other casualties included Celestial, which broke the gooseneck that joins the boom to the mast, Accenture Yeah Baby with gear failure, Freefire with a mainsail problem and Duende with an injured crewman.
Duende pulled into Bermagui on the south coast of New South Wales state to allow injured crewman Tom Wormald to seek further treatment for a dislocated shoulder.
The leading yachts were now expected to reach the Derwent River, leading to the finish off Hobart, today evening at the earliest. Wild Oats navigator Ian Burns said he was expecting a stretch of 50 to 60 nautical miles heading towards the Tasmanian coast with virtually no wind.
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