Yacht record possibility

AN extraordinary early forecast for the 73rd Sydney to Hobart shows potential for the fastest race – 12 months after an incredible five hours was slashed off the old race record.

The potential for rollicking and record-breaking conditions is in the long-range forecast for the 628 nautical mile Sydney to Hobart, which starts on Boxing Day.

But top meteorologist Roger Badham has warned that there is a dark flip side to the early forecast because it could alter significantly ahead of the opening days of the annual race.

“It only has to be out by a day and it is looking like a southerly instead,’’ said Badham, who works the weather with numerous Olympic, America’s Cup, Volvo race and Sydney to Hobart teams.

“The models that go out this far indicate a nor’easterly but the timing could be out. It’s still very tentative.

“But it’s still showing it (nor’easterly) in for one day and another model has it in for one to two days. Both are enough for a race record.’’

If the systems speed up, it could mean nasty, boat-breaking upwind conditions.