Australian maxi Wild Thing hit a media boat in the opening dash of yesterday’s Sydney to Hobart ocean race in a dramatic start to what is tipped to be the toughest contest in years.
Storms, powerful winds and huge seas have been forecast for the ride down Australia’s southeast coast, with two southerly fronts to buffet the 87-strong fleet, dashing hopes of a new race record.
Wild Thing burst into contention early, determined to set the pace after mast problems forced it to retire last year just moments after the starting cannon was fired, which was preceded by a devastating capsize in 2004. It seemed for a moment as though history might repeat yesterday when the 30m maxi clipped the media boat six minutes into the race.
Photo: EPA
Fortunately the damage appeared to be limited and race organizers said skipper Grant Wharington — 2003 line honors winner — was “back hunting the lead.”
Four-time line honors winner Wild Oats XI led the pack out of Sydney Harbor set a cracking pace down the coast, closely followed by super-maxi Investec Loyal and Wild Thing.
Wild Oats is widely tipped to be first over the finish line late tomorrow, while Britain’s Ran, owned by Skype founder Niklas Zennstrom, is favored as overall winner of the coveted handicap honors.
However, the changeable conditions mean the race is essentially anyone’s, with the first southerly bluster to hit the fleet late yesterday followed by a second, stronger front at dawn, bringing robust headwinds and steep, choppy seas.
Gales of up to 40 knots have been tipped for the notorious Bass Strait, where yachts will battles waves of up to 5m.
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