Race Update 27th December 8:30AM

Latest news update: Wild Oats Extends Lead

 

Line Honours Race

Following an uneventful night, Wild Oats is this morning headed into Bass Straight off the NSW - Vic border.  Oats is well ahead of other competitors (currently 15nm back to Ragamuffin Loyal) with conditions set to continue to favour the yacht through until midnight.

Overall (Handicap) Race

This morning the IRC leaderboard reads as expected:

1. Wild Oats XI
2. Black Jack
3. Ragamuffin Loyal
4. Lahana
5. Loki

Wild Oats (as well as the other larger yachts) will revel in the NE'ly winds today and will look to stretch out their lead to claim the double.  The timing of the winds dropping off and the return of the southerlies will determine whether they can hold onto this lead. 

Weather

For the lead yachts, the current weather forcecast for 20 knot NE'ly winds will be a dream come true.  Spinakers will be set and the yachts will be racing for Hobart as quick as the wind.  This weather pattern should hold until midnight, when the winds will drop before turning southerly again.  It looks like the record is going to stay safe another year, unless the return of the southerlies occurs later than expected.

Other News

The Sydney to Hobart is not a race without controversy, here's a look back at some of the events that have shaped this race over the years:
Dramas aplenty, at sea and dockside

Conditions at sea have been described as a "washing machine" as crews were hit by larger than anticipated waves heading into last night:
Sydney to Hobart crews hit by bigger-than-expected swell

Even more photos have come out from the start of the race this morning.  I'm hoping we'll have some from first light soon:
Carlo Borlenghi's aerial view of the 68th Rolex Sydney Hobart start

Rolex Sydney Hobart start through the lens of Daniel Forster


Rolex Sydney Hobart 2012; Start Images by Crosbie and Dale Lorimer

My view

I'm in two minds about which way I want the day to go.  On one hand, the NE's will see the boats making amazing speed and a fair go at the record could be had if the winds hold longer than expected.  On the other hand, if the winds swing south earlier than expected, we could see Ragamuffin Loyal close the gap.  I suspect that by the time the winds swing south tonight, Wild Oats lead will be insurmountable and it will be up to the likes of Lahana and Blackjack to chase them down for the overall win.

The radio chatter, whilst minimal as always, is starting to get interesting as the lead boats start to make declarations prior to entering Bass Straight.  The radio sched this morning was fairly clear, so this may be worth having on in the background today if you have any interest.  I'm still using the Sail World radio source.


UPDATE: Sky News have just released a news article from 8:30AM this morning:
Big gap between Sydney to Hobart leaders

UPDATE: The Mercury reports that Wild Oats XI "[hit] a tree overnight"!:
Oats still a chance for record

UPDATE 10AM:
Syd Fischer has been reported as being "on deck cracking the whip":
Wild Oats on race record pace


 - Evan