‘Wounded’ maxi clings on
AMERICAN skipper Ken Read said his multi-million dollar supermaxi Comanche was a “wounded bull’’ on a mission as she attempts to take the first international line honours win in the Sydney to Hobart since 2009.
In an incident-packed race south, Read last night said he feared the 100-footer Comanche would not be able to hold off her closest rivals Rambler, Ragamuffin and Maserati due to major issues with the steering.
The 71st edition of the Sydney to Hobart has been filled with drama with defending champion Wild Oats damaged and out on the first night, a rising toll of damaged boats and widespread fatigue and seasickness across the fleet.
“I have more than half the crew down with sea sickness. It’s been hard going for them out here,” Clipper round the world skipper Pete Thornton said from Great Britain.
Thornton said he and his crew had seen gusts of wind as strong as 60 knots as they raced towards the Derwent River finish line.
The line honours winner is expected to make it to Hobart some time late today but Read was anything but confident about victory.
“If we finish this race we will be able to hold our head high,’’ Read said after his crew made running repairs to the steering so Comanche could rejoin the race after losing about 30 nautical miles to her rivals due to the late-night crash.
Read said the boat was significantly handicapped when sailing on starboard tack and slipped sideways without one of her daggerboards.
“I’ve been in some bizarre races but this one takes the cake by a long shot,’’ he said of the loss of Aussie favourites Wild Oats and Perpetual Loyal to damage, his own boat’s dramas and their remarkable comeback to be either in the lead or vying for it across Bass Strait last night.
But Read said he was “bummed’’ Wild Oats and Perpetual Loyal were not still in the race.
Instead, fellow American George David and his new 88-footer Rambler look to be his major opposition.
Further back but still within striking distance is the world’s oldest ocean racing skipper Syd Fischer and his 100-footer Ragamuffin.
Hard upwind sailing continued to take its toll on the fleet yesterday with 24 boats retired at 6pm.
The race for the overall honours is still wide open with the Swiss yacht Teasing Machine leading last night from the Italian 70-footer Maserati.