sydney hobart yacht race retirements

Duel in the dark as three-boat race for Sydney to Hobart win looms on Weds morning

There’s a tight tussle for line honours in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race as Black Jack, LawConnect and SHK Scallywag headed toward a possible “neck and neck” finish on the River Derwent.

Across Tuesday SHK Scallywag had closed the gap in third place as further retirements cut the original fleet of 88 yachts to 52, with harsh conditions forcing withdrawals due to damage or minor crew injuries - most coming on the first day.

The three super maxis were vying for the top spot heading down Tasmania’s east coast with the possibility of the duel continuing right up to Hobart.

On Tuesday morning, Black Jack had regained a six nautical mile lead on LawConnect.

“They are neck and neck at the moment,” Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Noel Cornish told media in Hobart.

Light winds for most of Tuesday then saw the leaders slow down, often being within sight of each other. Some of the race stragglers may not finish until January 4.

A Wednesday morning finish, likely before sunset, was expected.

“We are looking forward to a good day, and to where we will end up this afternoon and evening,” said Black Jack navigator Alex Nolan.

“Everyone is very well on board. Everyone is very happy. We are pushing it very hard.” Weather is critical in the 628-nautical-mile (1,200-km) race down Australia’s east coast to Hobart, one of the world’s most challenging ocean events.

Six men died, five boats sank, and 55 sailors were rescued during the 1998 event when a deep depression exploded over the fleet in the Bass Strait.

But this year, organisers also faced the trials of a global pandemic, which already nixed last year’s edition -- cancelling the event for the first time since it began in 1945.

Before the start, four yachts were forced to retire, leaving 88 entrants at the starting line, including 17 two-handed crafts, which are allowed to take part for the first time.

It was a sharp reduction from the 157 boats that set out in 2019. Though the first yacht to reach the finishing line grabs most public attention, the main prize for sailors is regarded as the handicap honours, which take account of the size of the yachts.

RETIREMENTS (As of 7.30pm, December 27)

Alive - hull damage

Ariel - Mainsail damage

Blink - torn main sail

Chancellor - sail damage

Crystal Cutter - mainsail damage

Denali - damage to hull

Enchantress - broken forestay

Extasea - engine issues

Gweilo - Forestay damage

Huntress - mainsail damage

Kialoa II - rig damage

King Billy - rigging damage

Mako - damaged mainsail

Mille Sabords - torn mainsail

Minerva - mainsail damage

Moneypenny - broken headstay

Nautical Circle - rigging issues

No Limit - heading to Sydney

Oskana - broken forestay

Oz Design Patrice Six - engine issues

Philosopher - heading to Sydney

TSA Management - mainsail damage

URM - damaged mainsail

Wax Lyrical - equipment damage

White Noise - window damage

Zara - uknown.

Zen - injured crew

Eora - broken backstay

Hip-Nautic - damaged mainsail

Inukshuk - autopilot issues

Kayimai - engine issues

Hells Bells - engine issues

Maverick - rudder damage

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‘Devastated’: Man overboard, more boats out of Sydney to Hobart

A total of nine vessels have been forced to retire from the Sydney to Hobart with one skipper revealing a “devastating” update.

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Nine casulties have now struck the Sydney to Hobart fleet.

It was announced on Wednesday morning two more yachts had been forced to retire as the fleet made its way along the NSW south coast.

Scallywag was the first big casualty of the race after the Hong Kong-based sailing team’s bow sprit — which carries the yachts biggest sails — broke just hours into the race.

Scallywag had been the early leader and was in a fight with Andoo Comanche and LawConnect before it was forced to abandon its campaign.

Two more vessels were forced to retire in the early hours of Wednesday morning with Sticky and Maritimo 52 pulling out.

Sticky was forced to pull out with electrical damage, while Maritimo 52 had damage to rigging.

Small yacht Rum Rebellion was hit by a burst of water between Cronulla and Wollongong sending the boat on its side.

Shane Connelly was taken overboard and was a few metres from the boat but was able to swim back to it.

“We are both well and the main thing is our systems and drills all worked well,’’ he told News Corp.

As first reported by News Corp , Arcadia on Tuesday returned to Sydney with a torn mainsail and Rum Rebellion also turned back due to an unspecified reason.

Reigning champions Andoo Comanche and LawConnect are continuing to battle for line honours as they head towards Bass Straight.

Tuesday’s retirement was a gut-punch for the Scallywag crew which had already declared the 2023 Sydney to Hobart would be its last.

News Corp reported skipper David Witt and his crew were “devastated”. The vessel has returned safely back to Sydney.

The team earlier confirmed their sad news via its social media channels.

SHK Scallywag 100 has retired from the 2023 Sydney Hobart with a broken bow sprit. The team are obviously very disappointed given the great progress we were making but thankful no one was injured & that we could safely recover. The team are making their way back to Sydney. pic.twitter.com/fuFApS3DvT — Sun Hung Kai Scallywag (@scallywaghk) December 26, 2023

The five retirements mean there are 98 entries remaining of the 103-yacht fleet that sell sail from Sydney.

Scallywag was also involved in early drama when rival Andoo Comanche flew a protest flag alleging SHK Scallywag had tacked too close as the pair exited Sydney Harbour.

Scallywag subsequently performed a 720 penalty turn to exonerate the vessel from facing a potential disqualification.

The race tracks the eastern coast of Australia southward from Sydney, crossing the Bass Strait, before continuing along the eastern coast of Tasmania and finally reaching Hobart.

Widely considered one of the most challenging yacht races in the world, teams competing in this year’s event — the 78th edition — also risk facing thunderstorms, hail and gale-force winds through the race.

The Bureau of Meteorology, whose representatives briefed the competitors ahead of the race, said there was a high degree of uncertainty for the forecasts over coming days.

With the Bass Strait crossing often the hardest part of the race, teams can expect a larger southwest swell and strong winds.

“This year there is easterly winds and easterly swell forecast, as well as thunderstorms, which will make conditions challenging on Tuesday and Wednesday. These conditions are forecast to ease from later Wednesday,” the bureau said.

Some 113 vessels will be competing in this year’s event.

The record for the race was set in 2017 by LDV Comanche, a 100ft maxi yacht, which completed the event in just over 33 hours.

RETIREMENTS IN THE 2023 SYDNEY TO HOBART

Arcadia – Retired – mainsail damage

Currawong (TH) – Retired – electrical issues

Maritimo 52 – Retired – rigging damage

Pacman (TH) – Retired – runner damage

Rum Rebellion (TH) – Retired – minor injury

SHK Scallywag – Retired – broken bowsprit

Sticky – Retired – electrical damage

Georgia Express – rigging issues

Millennium Falcon - Retired - crew illness

Tumbleweed (TH) - Retired - crew illness

Luna Blue - Retired - damaged equipment

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Sydney to Hobart yacht race: Andoo Comanche pulls ahead in challenging conditions

Sport Sydney to Hobart yacht race: Andoo Comanche pulls ahead in challenging conditions

As defending champion Andoo Comanche and fellow supermaxi LawConnect battle it out for line honours in this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race, organisers are anticipating a tight finish.

The pair are expected to sail up the River Derwent this morning.

"They are watching each other very, very carefully," Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Arthur Lane said. 

"Each is tweaking and doing all the little adjustments needed and they know each other's boats so well. 

"So yes, they'll be very, very close [at the finish]. At this stage. I think it's anyone's race."

URM Group was in third position, 114 nautical miles from the leader, with Moneypenny and Alive slightly further back. 

Mr Lane said there was little chance the race record of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds would be attained. 

"In 2017, when the record was broken, that Comanche was just 100 miles away [from the finish], so they've got a long way to go," he said. 

"It's going to be quite a challenge to actually get to that record."

Daylight finish predicted

Southerly winds would likely bring the leading boats swiftly up the River Derwent early on Thursday, Mr Lane said. 

"Last year [the winning boat finished] about 2:30, 3:00 o'clock in the morning," he said.

"I think we will see the sunrise before they get in [this year], but that's just my own opinion on it."

A total of 11 yachts had retired from the race as of Wednesday afternoon. 

Mr Lane said weather conditions had been challenging and somewhat unpredictable along the south-east coast of Australia's mainland and in the Bass Strait. 

"There's certainly a lot of unease out there. There's all kinds of conditions happening," he said.

In addition to strong winds generated by a low-pressure system, he said squally weather from electrical storms was particularly difficult to handle.  

"When they hit, they actually change the wind from the direction it's going and for a few minutes when that storm hits, the actual cell hits, it can come from any direction.

"So particularly at night, you think you have a south-east breeze but suddenly it can be coming from the north for a couple of minutes or go to the east. 

"It swirls around and it's so unpredictable and really causes quite a lot of concern if you're on a boat."

The boats that have retired so far include Arcadia, Currawong, Maritimo 52, Pacman, Sticky, Rum Rebellion, Georgia Express, Luna Blue and supermaxi SHK Scallywag. 

Seasickness has also taken a toll on Millennium Falcon and Tumbleweed. 

'Bruised and sore'

The skipper of two-hander Rum Rebellion, Shane Connelly, was sent overboard at 6:00pm on Boxing Day — off the coast between Cronulla and Wollongong — after the yacht was hit by sudden strong winds.

The boat was knocked down, but Mr Connelly was able to tether onto it, the boat was righted, and he was lifted back on board.

Mr Connelly and teammate Tony Sutton retired from the race due to concerns that Mr Connelly could have a concussion. They were safe and well upon their return to port.

Mr Lane said he had spoken with Mr Connelly earlier on Wednesday. 

"He's bruised, he's sore, but he said everything they'd practised [for] and everything onboard the boat in terms of requirements and everything just worked perfectly.

"So they are very happy about the fact that all their practice … worked and it was a great relief they could get back aboard the boat."

Antipodes crew member Geoff Cropley said they had to compete with regular lightning strikes and major wind changes.

"The spinnaker got wrapped in the drop, along with spinnaker staysail. All the team was up and trying to untwist and get that down. It took us about 40 minutes," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, LawConnect's skipper said it had become a "battle for survival" as competitors faced stormy conditions.

Christian Beck told ABC News Breakfast that one of their sails had ripped but the two leaders were able to make their way out of a storm cell.

"It's a bit of a battle for survival to the finish now," he said.

Controversial start to 78th edition of iconic race

The annual race was off to a controversial start on Boxing Day, with a close call between supermaxis SHK Scallywag and Andoo Comanche.

The latter lodged an official protest after there was a near-collision, claiming SHK Scallywag should have tacked (changed direction) sooner.

After the harbour drama, things slowed right down as boats manoeuvred out of the harbour and around the heads in search of a speedy wind but were left wanting.

The leaders in the field of 103 yachts slowly left Sydney behind at a speed of 8-11 knots, compared to the upwards of 20 knots they can sometimes have.

When the crucial decision of whether to hug the coast or head further out to sea in search of a wind had to be made, the leaders — LawConnect, Andoo Comanche and SHK Scallywag — left the coast and things picked up from there.

The first yacht to cross the finish line at Hobart's River Derwent will win line honours and the JH Illingworth Challenge Cup.

The current Line Honours record was set in 2017 by LDV Comanche with 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds — finishing on the evening of December 27 — but the yachts were still trailing that record on the first day.

The biggest and fastest supermaxi class yachts will be the first to finish the race, with many of the smaller boats much further behind.

It can be days until all of the more than 100 yachts reach Hobart or retire from the race.

The main prize is the prestigious Tattersalls Cup, which goes to the overall winner when adjusted for handicaps — adjustments in time based on things such as weight and length of the boat.

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Race winner decided by 51 seconds

• Helen Fretter
• December 27, 2023

The 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race line honours battle is settled in the final gybe after one of the closest finishes in the race’s history, with Law Connect winning ahead of long-time leader Andoo Comanche.

Law Connect has won the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race line honours, after the closest finish in over 40 years, which ended in a gybe-for-gybe battle up the Derwent River against long-time leader Andoo Comanche .

Andoo Comanche held the advantage going into the Derwent with a two-mile lead, John Winning Jr’s crew crowded onto the bow in the light early morning winds to try and lift Comanche’s 8m beamy transom, which gives the yacht the nickname the ‘aircraft carrier’.  

Law Connect followed up the Derwent River with a knot or two more breeze, and were able to close the gap some two miles from the finish line, but the waters outside Hobart were littered with glassy patches, and each boat repeatedly battled to maintain hull speed through windless holes.

After 628 miles of racing, the lead changed repeatedly in the final half hour, with Law Connect taking the advantage on the final gybe for the line to roll over the top of Andoo Comanche and cross the line ahead.  

Law Connect overtakes Andoo Comanche metres from the finish line of the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo

It was an exceptional display of light winds tactical match racing, with Law Connect helmsman Tony Mutter and tactician Chris Nicholson directing Christian Beck’s team to victory, after being 2nd on three previous years . Law Connect crossed the Castray Esplanade finish line in Hobart at 08.03.58am local time after 1 day 19 hours 03 minutes 58 seconds of racing.

Beck gave a self-deprecating speech after, praising the crew for their efforts on a boat he admitted was not as fast or well-funded as their rivals. “I honestly can’t believe it. I rated it about a 25% chance we’d win, so to win was just amazing.

“An hour ago we were about 3 miles behind Comanche, so to win – I still can’t believe it.”

Law Connect (SYD 1000)a Juan K 100ft Custom design, on its way to winning the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.

Mixed 2023 Sydney Hobart Race

The 2023 edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart has so far seen truly mixed conditions. The Boxing Day start delivered its customary spectacle, as the three 100ft maxis led the fleet out of a packed Sydney Habour. Law Connect gave an impromptu demonstration of how to gybe a giant overlapping headsail after breaking a furling line that left them unable to tack around a turning mark, while Scallywag took penalty turns once in clear water after a port-starboard incident with Comanche shortly after the start.

Start of the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht race. Photo: Rolex/Andrea Francolini

Over the first two days of racing the fleet had to contend with electrical storms, squalls and severe sea states, as well as periods of light winds, and there have been 11 retirements so far. They included another line honours hopeful, the 100ft Scallywag , which had to retire after snapping the bowsprit in the first day of racing.

Other boats retired due to rigging damage, mainsail damage, and severe seasickness caused by the unpleasant sea state.  

Most dramatically the double-handed entry Rum Rebellion retired after being knocked down and having a Man Overboard, who was safely recovered.  

Co-skipper Shane Connelly reported that they were approximately 20 miles offshore on the first evening of the race, sailing under full main and spinnaker in 6-10 knots of wind, when the wind suddenly increased to over 16 knots with a ‘ferocious’ looking storm cloud approaching from behind.  

The duo prepared to drop the spinnaker, but a micro-burst of wind hit the yacht, causing a knockdown. Connelly, who had gone forwards during the spinnaker drop, was thrown overboard but tethered, and as the boat righted was lifted back onboard. He reported after: “The safety drills and systems all worked and we could sort ourselves out”

The stormy conditions caused issues across the fleet on the first night. Aboard the Santa Cruz 72 Antipodes crew member Geoff Cropley reported this morning: “We had lightning and thunder for hours. Then there was a major wind shift which auto gybed the boat.

“The spinnaker got wrapped in the drop, along with spinnaker staysail. All the team was up and trying to untwist and get that down. It took us about 40 minutes. We were heading north-east and sailing backwards for a period of time.

“We’re now hunkered down with a reef in the main. There’s little bit of blue sky. It’s quite nice out here.”

Azzuro, an S&S 34 owned by Jack Kliner, with crew including Jessica Watson, during the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Photo: Rolex/Andrea Francolini

Meanwhile the battle for IRC overall continues. IRC 1 contender Alive , a Reichel Pugh 66 with a talent-packed crew including Gavin Brady, Stu Bannatyne and legendary Australian navigator Adrienne Cahalan, a veteran of 30 Hobart races. Close behind them on the IRC rankings is Hobart grandee, Sean Langman on the Reichel Pugh 69 Moneypenny led IRC 0, while the  S&S 34 Azzurro raced by Jessica Watson  is fastest of the small boats on the current IRC rankings.  

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: Visibility Issues and Retirements Impact Race, Andoo Comanche and LawConnect Battle for Lead

• Visibility is hampering the crew's ability to keep their rivals in sight in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with squalls of 30 knots-plus affecting the race leaders.
• As of 9am, Andoo Comanche and LawConnect were leading the race with a margin of nine nautical miles between them.
• LawConnect boat captain Ty Oxley mentioned that tough conditions in the morning had limited their ability to see the race leaders due to rain, squalls, and clouds on the horizon.
• Despite the challenging conditions, LawConnect and Andoo Comanche were still close in the race, navigating through Bass Strait with squalls reaching 40-plus knots.
• Two-handed entries Currawong and Pacman retired from the race due to various issues and runner chainplate problems, respectively.
• Two boats, Maritimo 52 and Sticky, retired from the race, leaving Andoo Comanche and LawConnect in a close battle at the front of the fleet.
• Scallywag from Hong Kong became the first casualty of the race, breaking her bowsprit, forcing her to retire.

The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI

www.sail-world.com • Rupert Guiness | RSHYR Media

RSHYR - Visibility an issue and two further retire

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SHK Scallywag first of three early casualties from 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart

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Full Standings available approximately three hours after the start.

OFFICIAL ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART MERCHANDISE

Shop the official clothing range of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.  

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited!