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Sydney to Hobart yacht race begins without signature cannon blast after mishap Comanche takes early lead in Sydney to Hobart yacht race, with storms forecast
(about 1 hour later)
All eyes are on the big, bad, southerly buster that could wreak havoc on the opening night of Saturday’s Sydney to Hobart race. American powerhouse Comanche has been first into open waters with a blistering start in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Australian co-owner and model Kristy Hinze-Clark was at the wheel of the US raider, which left supermaxis Wild Oats XI and Perpetual Loyal behind.
Defending line honours winner Wild Oats XI had initially bolted out of the start line, before being overtaken by Perpetual Loyal out of the heads.
Related: Sydney to Hobart: forecast of wild conditions prompts talk of race delayRelated: Sydney to Hobart: forecast of wild conditions prompts talk of race delay
But the race faced an early wrinkle when the traditional cannon to start the yacht race could not be fired after the start boat was forced into an emergency evacuation of its passengers. The fleet was instead started by an old-school horn and flags. But Comanche then broke into full stride, showing serious speed to pull away from her rivals.
The race faced an early wrinkle when the traditional cannon to start the yacht race could not be fired after the start boat was forced into an emergency evacuation of its passengers. The fleet was instead started by an old-school horn and flags.
The official start boat Aussie Legend was held up at Taronga Zoo wharf after it started taking on water. Dignitaries then boarded the Majestic.The official start boat Aussie Legend was held up at Taronga Zoo wharf after it started taking on water. Dignitaries then boarded the Majestic.
One race contender believes the dead air in the aftermath of the forecast storm could have the most significant impact on this year’s line honours winner. All eyes are on the big, bad, southerly buster that could wreak havoc on the opening night of the race.
But one contender believes the dead air in the aftermath could have the most significant impact on this year’s line honours winner.
American raider Comanche and fellow supermaxi Ragamuffin 100 are the main threats to Australia’s yachting sweetheart Wild Oats XI claiming an unprecedented ninth title.American raider Comanche and fellow supermaxi Ragamuffin 100 are the main threats to Australia’s yachting sweetheart Wild Oats XI claiming an unprecedented ninth title.
After taking in the latest weather predictions on race eve, Ragamuffin 100 skipper David Witt said it would turn into a two-horse race.After taking in the latest weather predictions on race eve, Ragamuffin 100 skipper David Witt said it would turn into a two-horse race.
“All the light air in the back half of the race is really going to suit us and Oats,” he said. “It should be a red shirt, blue shirt race by the end of it.”“All the light air in the back half of the race is really going to suit us and Oats,” he said. “It should be a red shirt, blue shirt race by the end of it.”
Comanche, who this year set a new 24-hour monohull distance record, will feature in her second Hobart race after Wild Oats XI pipped her on the line by just 55 minutes on debut.Comanche, who this year set a new 24-hour monohull distance record, will feature in her second Hobart race after Wild Oats XI pipped her on the line by just 55 minutes on debut.
However Witt predicted that after the US challenger got out to a strong start, the light conditions in Tasmania would turn her into a sitting duck.However Witt predicted that after the US challenger got out to a strong start, the light conditions in Tasmania would turn her into a sitting duck.
“I don’t think these conditions are going to suit Comanche,” he said. “They’ll definitely be very good in the first bit of the race, but the second half, they’re going to have to try and find a rabbit to pull out of the bag and hopefully they can’t find one.”“I don’t think these conditions are going to suit Comanche,” he said. “They’ll definitely be very good in the first bit of the race, but the second half, they’re going to have to try and find a rabbit to pull out of the bag and hopefully they can’t find one.”
Comanche skipper Ken Read stayed away from the mind games but did admit being concerned by the lack of help from the weather gods on day two.Comanche skipper Ken Read stayed away from the mind games but did admit being concerned by the lack of help from the weather gods on day two.
Told he had been written off by a rival, Read said: “Let’s go prove it on the water.Told he had been written off by a rival, Read said: “Let’s go prove it on the water.
“We love our boat in these conditions. As long as it doesn’t get too light and weird toward the end, we’re pretty comfortable.”“We love our boat in these conditions. As long as it doesn’t get too light and weird toward the end, we’re pretty comfortable.”
Thousands lined the harbour as crews prepared to set sail. The weather was expected to hold out for the start of the race before storms develop across New South Wales later in the day, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).Thousands lined the harbour as crews prepared to set sail. The weather was expected to hold out for the start of the race before storms develop across New South Wales later in the day, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
Race competitors have a decent start with a tail wind but later in the day many could be hit with foul weather as a vigorous cold front moves in from south of Adelaide. Race competitors had a decent start with a tail wind but later in the day many could be hit with foul weather as a vigorous cold front moves in from south of Adelaide.
“They may encounter some of these storms as they head south,” BoM meteorologist Stephen Stefanac said.“They may encounter some of these storms as they head south,” BoM meteorologist Stephen Stefanac said.
For the second part of the race the BOM is predicting southerly winds, making it “a little more difficult”. For the second part of the race the BoM is predicting southerly winds, making it “a little more difficult”.
Defending line honours winner skipper Mark Richards simply wanted to still be in the water after the storm, which could muster winds up to 40 knots.Defending line honours winner skipper Mark Richards simply wanted to still be in the water after the storm, which could muster winds up to 40 knots.
Related: Wild Rose named overall winner of Sydney to Hobart raceRelated: Wild Rose named overall winner of Sydney to Hobart race
Although he couldn’t rule out his competitive instinct taking over.Although he couldn’t rule out his competitive instinct taking over.
“It all depends on who’s there and how close they are. A little bit of testosterone gets going, it’s all good,” he said.“It all depends on who’s there and how close they are. A little bit of testosterone gets going, it’s all good,” he said.
“But we’ve been against boats before that have been pushing it at night and they’ve failed, so it’s really important to conserve the boat and be there tomorrow morning.”“But we’ve been against boats before that have been pushing it at night and they’ve failed, so it’s really important to conserve the boat and be there tomorrow morning.”