As the second night of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race settles in another yacht has told of their damage.
This afternoon Comanche made a huge comeback after damaging their rudder and daggerboard. After making repairs and continuing on in the race, they have taken the lead from Rambler 88 and it seems that all is right again and the 100 footer leads the fleet.
But now we have heard that Rambler has had some damage too. Navigator, Andrew Cape told the RSHYR media that they had bent their starboard side daggerboard. They don’t know what they hit but they have been affected with their port tack performance.
So while Comanche is hoping to stay on port tack to nurse their boat into the finish line, Rambler is hoping for a longer starboard tack. It seems as though the trophy will have an American team’s name on it but which one?
In the IRC standings, Teasing Machine continues to lead the fleet with Maserati in second and Primitive Cool in third. The wind is expected to lighten during the night, which will mix things up a bit.
With Ragamuffin 100 sitting in third on line honours and Ragamuffin 52 in fourth on corrected time, I am sure the Fisher family boats are giving their all to have a podium finish in both divisions.
Wendy Tuck and her Da Nang – Vietnam team continue to lead the Clipper boats by almost 11nm. While Black Sheep leads the Corinthian division.
Last night we saw a number of boats retiring, including two of the 100 footers, and some damage including broken rigs, rudders and sail damage. So I am hoping for a smoother night and safe sailing for all.
List of retirements at time of writing:
Ark323 – retired
Black Jack
Brindabella – retired – mainsail damage
CEX Dolce – retired – broken mast
Cougar II – retired
Dare Devil – retired – rudder damage – returning to Sydney
Dekadence – retired – Electrical problems
Frantic – retired – torn mainsail
GYR Wot Eva
Haspa Hamburg – retired – mainsail damage
KLC Bengal 7 – retired – mainsail damage
Koa – retired – steering damage
Lupa of London – retired
M3 – retired – broken forestay
Patrice – retired – mainsail damage
Pazazz – retired mainsail damage
Perpetual Loyal – retired – rudder damage
Pretty Fly III – retired – broken forestay
Samurai Jack – retired – sail damage
St Jude – retired – rudder damage
Takani – retired – rudder damage
Victoire – retired
Wild Oats XI – retired – mainsail damage
– Kimberley Wilmot/ Editor – Australian Sailing
