THAT MAY HAVE TORN IT FOR ICHI BAN’S RUN
IT has been a dream ride for some but pre-race favourite for overall honours Ichi Ban
was one of numerous boats to suffer sail or gear damage on the second day of the Sydney to Hobart yesterday.
While racing at high speed downwind, Ichi Ban navigator Will Oxley reported the yacht blew out a sail crucial to keeping her in the race for the main prize.
“Some sail damage causing us a bit of grief. Now missing an essential sail,’’ Oxley said.
“Between 22 knots and 30 knots downwind we are quite compromised and have to sail higher to keep moving.
“It’s costing a lot. Wind forecast to build tonight. Fingers and toes crossed.”
Ichi Ban late yesterday was losing ground to other major contenders for handicap honours. Bob Steele’s Quest, which won two years ago as Balance
under Paul Clitheroe, was leading the handicap race from Bruce Taylor’s Chutzpah, Sam Haines’ Celestial and the Italian yacht Mascalzone Latino. Wild Oats XI tore a reaching sail and later a spinnaker but managed to continue racing. After surviving the first night at sea intact, the starting fleet of 102 was reduced by three on day two.
German yacht Rockall broke its rudder and was escorted by water police to Eden on the NSW south coast. Jazz Player notified race officials yesterday its radio was not working, which meant under the rules it could not cross Bass Strait. Wots Next was the third casualty, sidelined with a broken rudder.