Big yachts nearly collide
Black Jack has made the early running as rival supermaxis LDV Comanche and Wild Oats XI came dangerously close to colliding in the early stages of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
A tack from Wild Oats XI 15 minutes in brought it very close to LDV Comanche. America’s Cup skipper Jimmy Spithill is the helmsman on LDV Comanche and was angered at the tack, shouting at the other boat "that’s way too close".
Race officials could not confirm whether LDV Comanche had raised a protest flag as suggested by television commentators.
Black Jack and LDV Comanche were quickest away, with Wild Oats XI jumping at the start before closing up.
In an easterly breeze of about eight knots on Tuesday, light air specialist Black Jack shaded LDV Comanche by one second around the first turning mark and was first out of the Sydney Heads.
Wild Oats XI turned the mark in third, more than a minute behind the first two, with stablemate Wild Oats X fourth ahead of InfoTrack.
InfoTrack, which as Perpetual LOYAL was first out of the Heads for the previous two years, went through fifth.
That would have been a disappointment for new owner Christian Beck, who felt his boat had more chance of being first through the Heads than to Hobart.
After a sluggish start, Wild Oats XI quickly made up ground and moved into a position to challenge LDV Comanche, the line honours favourite.
Its tack clearly incurred the ire of some LDV Comanche crew members, who raised their hands above their heads in exasperation.