Sydney-to-Hobart yacht favorites quit as heavy weather looms

December 27, 2000
Web posted at: 10:02 AM HKT (0202 GMT)

By Grant Holloway
CNN Interactive Writer

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Three of the leading contenders in this year's Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race have pulled out as likely gale force winds and heavy seas start to take their toll on the fleet.

New Zealand maxi-class yacht Shockwave and seasoned performer Brindabella both retired this morning, and Xena, a high-profile Open 60 class yacht, retired just before midday, Australian eastern daylight time.

Xena is the fifth boat to pull out of the race as fleet battles into 25 to 30 knot southerly winds and rising seas, with a gale warning still in force for Bass Strait waters, where the yachts are heading.

The Sydney-to-Hobart race is the highlight of Australia's racing calendar, attracting high profile competitors from around the world and a range of classes of yachts.

The Shockwave crew were understood to be apprehensive about sailing the untested 80-foot yacht into the teeth of a deep slow-moving low pressure system, which the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said would produce gale-force winds.

A crew spokesman for Shockwave said that in the face of forecast heavy weather conditions, it was "prudent seamanship" to retire from the race.

Race control also received retirement notification this morning from Brindabella (hull delamination), Ice Fire (torn mainsail) and Orsa Maggiore (crew discomfort). Race organizers said they expected more yachts to pull out as conditions deteriorated.

Brindabella owner George Snow reported that the yacht's bow had "delaminated" with cracks in the hull, making the yacht unseaworthy.

Brindabella took line honors in the 1997 race and was running seventh before pulling out. Last year's line honors' winner was Nokia, which completed the race in record time.

Xena crew said the boat had a ripped mainsail and they were concerned about the mast rigging.

At noon Australian eastern daylight time, the race was being led by Wild Thing, with Nicorette second. The first boats are not expected to reach Hobart until Friday morning, however.

The pull-outs come in the wake of a damning report into the 1998 race when six men died and another 55 had to be plucked from the sea by helicopter when a hurricane force storm hit the race fleet on December 27, one day after the competition began.

A report from New South Wales State Coroner John Abernethy, released December 13, sharply criticized the race organizers, The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), saying it had “effectively abdicated its responsibility to manage the race".

The coroner recommended sweeping changes to race conditions, including additional safety equipment, new procedures and upgraded life rafts.

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