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Sydney to Hobart: Perpetual leading Wild Oats as race claims first scalps Sydney to Hobart: Wild Oats XI retakes narrow lead over Perpetual Loyal
(about 5 hours later)
Perpetual Loyal has charged ahead in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, overtaking line favourite Wild Oats XI in a dramatic start to the competition. Wild Oats XI has seized a narrow lead over Perpetual Loyal in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, in what has become a tightly contested race between the two vessels.
Wild Oats XI took the lead when the race began, but Perpetual Loyal has emerged overnight as the lead vessel in a tight race. Wild Oats XI, a six-time line honours winner, has dropped back to third, while Volvo 70 Giacomo has taken second place. Perpetual Loyal had wrestled first place from Wild Oats XI on Thursday night, but the six time line honours winner has now retaken the lead.
"Last night we were further out to sea and that paid off," Perpetual Loyal's navigator, Stan Honey, said. "We are pleased to be in the hunt, because light air is not our strong point and it’s been light all night." Wild Oats XI’s navigator, Tom Addis, had earlier said they had a “lot of catching up to do”.
Wild Oats XI’s navigator, Tom Addis, said they had a “lot of catching up to do”. "Today will be another tough day. There will be quite a few decisions to make, quite a few sail changes to make,” he said. "Today will be another tough day. There will be quite a few decisions to make, quite a few sail changes to make,” he said.
The competition in this year’s race has been fierce, with the three vessels in a tight race, leading a starting fleet of 94. The race had a dramatic start following a protest vote shortly after the race began and two early retirements. "Last night we were further out to sea and that paid off," Perpetual Loyal’s navigator, Stan Honey, said. "We are pleased to be in the hunt, because light air is not our strong point and it’s been light all night."
The race leader, Perpetual Loyal, lodged a protest just minutes after the race began, but decided not to pursue the matter. The competition in this year’s race has been fierce, with the lead vessels in a tight race, leading a starting fleet of 94. The race had a dramatic start following a protest vote shortly after the race began and two early retirements.
Perpetual Loyal earlier lodged a protest just minutes after the race began, but decided not to pursue the ma
"We've had a meeting and decided not to proceed with the protest," Perpetual Loyal's skipper, Anthony Bell, said. "At first we thought we had been fouled, but in a sense we had not.”"We've had a meeting and decided not to proceed with the protest," Perpetual Loyal's skipper, Anthony Bell, said. "At first we thought we had been fouled, but in a sense we had not.”
There has been speculation the protest was made in relation to an incident with Wild Oats XI. Recent Sydney to Hobart races have been marred by protests, with three out of the past five races decided by protest hearings.There has been speculation the protest was made in relation to an incident with Wild Oats XI. Recent Sydney to Hobart races have been marred by protests, with three out of the past five races decided by protest hearings.
The Audi Sunshine Coast retired from the race within 30 minutes due to rig damage. "The code zero masthead fitting failed and the halyard tore down the side of the mast to the hounds fitting," Audi Sunshine Coast’s skipper, Rod Jones, said. "I feel subdued, very disappointed, but the world moves on."The Audi Sunshine Coast retired from the race within 30 minutes due to rig damage. "The code zero masthead fitting failed and the halyard tore down the side of the mast to the hounds fitting," Audi Sunshine Coast’s skipper, Rod Jones, said. "I feel subdued, very disappointed, but the world moves on."
The Sydney-based Dodo was also withdrawn from the race.The Sydney-based Dodo was also withdrawn from the race.
The close race continues amid forecasts of gale-force winds on Sunday.The close race continues amid forecasts of gale-force winds on Sunday.
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