SUPER SHOWDOWN
FOUR SUPERMAXIS FOR DERWENT CLIFFHANGER
THE four big supermaxis in the Sydney- Hobart Yacht race are set for a thrilling finish and could all be in Hobart’s River Derwent together vying for line honours. Race officials predict a fascinating four-way tussle between LDV Comanche, Wild Oats XI, Black Jack and InfoTrack.
THE world’s four fastest supermaxis could be on the River Derwent tonight fighting for a new Sydney-Hobart race record — and one of them is sailing into hot water.
Race officials predict a fascinating four-way finale to the 628 nautical mile blue water classic, which is expected to boil down to a tacking battle over the last 40nm across Storm Bay and up the river to the finish.
Winds of 20 to 30 knots from the north and northeast were set to power supermaxis LDV Comanche, Wild Oats XI, Black Jack and InfoTrack across Bass Strait and down Tasmania’s East Coast as they hunt for Perpetual Loyal’s race record of 1 day 13 hours 31 mins 20 sec.
They must reach the finish before 2.31am tomorrow morning to create their own piece of history.
Comanche late last night led the race, shadowed by eight-times champion Wild Oats XI, while Black Jack and InfoTrack both sailed within sight of the frontrunners.
All four have won the Sydney-Hobart on line honours.
Earlier in the day, a near collision between multi-million mach ines Wild Oats XI and Comanche had Comanche’s crew on the warpath.
They put up a protest flag after Wild Oats appeared to violate their yacht’s right of way on starboard tack just outside Sydney Heads.
The Comanche crew, which includes two-times Americas Cup winning skipper James Spithill, yelled, waved arms and called out “protest”. They promptly flew their red protest flag.
Comanche’s owner Jim Cooney, who bought the boat only last month from American software billionaire Jim Clark, confirmed he had lodged a protest.
“We had a near miss with Wild Oats,” Cooney said.
The Wild Oats crew saw it differently.
“We didn’t think there
was an infraction,” said Wild Oats XI navigator Ian Burns.
“We discussed the 720degree penalty and decided we didn’t need to under the circumstances.
“We continued on aware of the fact Comanche had put up the red protest flag.”
That means the fate of Wild Oats XI will be decided in the jury room after the race and the possibility of a cruel blow should she win by a small margin and cop a significant time penalty.
Black Jack, formerly known as 2009 race winner Alfa Romeo, upstaged its rivals by winning the race out of Sydney Harbour, pipping Comanche for the honour.
Despite blowing the start for the second year in a row, Wild Oats was third out followed by its little sister, Wild Oats X making its Sydney-Hobart debut, and InfoTrack.
Smuggler (NSW) , Jazz Player ( Victoria) and St Jude (NSW) all jumped the start and were forced back for a second attempt.
The American Volvo 70, Wizard, had cast its spell over the fleet, leading the race on overall handicap.
Also in the hunt were Hong Kong flyer Beau Geste, Sydney stalwart Matt Allen’s new TP52 Ichi Ban, Quest (NSW), Comanche (NSW), Beachball (Qld), and Wild Oats X.
The gentle start meant all 102 starters, including 27 internationals and 11 Clipper Around the World racers, were still on the water last night, although the crew of St Jude got a shock 12 minutes before the race started when all but one of its instruments failed.
“The only thing that’s working is the electronic compass. It’s like dinghy sailing so far,” said crew member Geoff Cropley.
We continued on aware of the fact Comanche had put up the red protest flag Wild Oats XI navigator
IAN BURNS