Sydney Hobart – Dose of salts
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS 29 Dec 2022 11:32 NZDT
Sun Fast Racing - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race © Charles Ip
You know. Through you like a…. So it was with the savage, but fast, blast that went through yesterday. Today it is not only much cooler, and is likely to only get to 23 degrees Celsius, but very little wind is on offer, and it is from here, there, and nearly everywhere.
Anyway, this morning is all about the Two-Handers, as there’ll be a flurry of them, especially, Mistral 40nm away from finish (34-footer from the brilliant Marc Lombard), Sun Fast Racing (Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300) and Pacman too (Young 11), and also Crux (S&S 34), all of whom are well place for some divisional glory.
Hear what it is like on board Crux with this video update from Peter Grayson, sailing with Carlos Aydos.
The high barometer readings are probably the most interesting point, and would suggest light winds are to stay for a bit, with the shiftiness making it even harder going for tired minds and bodies. Many will certainly want to apply the five-minute rule on sail changes! Lest you be doing a lot of them, which you probably will be anyway. Be leaving a few on deck, and the kite will probably come straight out of the hatch, me thinks…
The sequence of tables shows the passage from Tasman Island up to Hobart Town.
Don't forget our live update with our friends at Bow Caddy Media at 1305hrs AEDT 29 December, 2022
Day Three Update (Live on 28 Dec @ 1405hrs AEDT)
Day Two Update (27 Dec 1205hrs AEDT)
Housekeeping
Overnight, Eye Candy retired (approx 10pm). Damage to forestay. Were heading to Triabunna. All those on board OK. Nine vessels now retired in total, with five of them still at sea.
Flying Cloud has a broken boom but is still racing. They are currently 25nm NE of Cape Sonnerat at the time of writing.
Overnight, Cyan Moon also reported a damaged gooseneck (9:30pm). All on board OK and the boat continues to race under jury rig. At the time of writing they are 33nm SE of St Helens Point.
Indeed damage has affected many, such as URM who finished with a broken bobstay. Thankfully for them it was on the nose for the latter part of their journey, otherwise they would not have broken the conventionally ballasted record, and set 1 day, 19 hours, 6 minutes and 48 seconds as the new mark. Many other had tears and problems with mainsails.
Stay safe, thanks for tuning into Sail-World.com, and all the best for 2023.