25 of the 84 yachts retired from the race hit by the strong frontal system during the second day of the Sydney-Hobart Regatta. All remaining teams have now finished the race, with the line honors going to 'Comanche' as we reported four days ago. Winner in the IRC classification is the TP52 'Balance' of Paul Clitheroe AUS, followed by the 10.8 m Valer 'Courrier Leon' of Gery Trentesaux FRA. The final rankings, the reports and the videos.

As foreseeable already yesterday morning, it was the 100-foot Super-Maxi 'Comanche' of Jim and Kristy Clark USA with Ken Read USA steering who took the line honors of the 71st Sydney-Hobart Race, but with 2 days and 8 hours, the record time was clearly missed. In the final approach on Hobart, 'Raggamuffin' of Syd Fisher AUS advanced on rank 2 relegating 'Rambler' of George David USA with Brad Butterworth NZL on the 3rd place 4 minutes behind. Up to this morning UTC, only 6 of the 86 teams have reached the arrival.
The standings, the news and the videos.

The toughest conditions since 2004 in the Bass Strait have caused more and more severe damages and retirements. Meanwhile, the race goes on and even the frontrunners have taken a pretty solid beating from this classic, wild Hobart. After the leading 'Comanche' (Jim Clark USA, Ken Read USA) and 'Rambler' (George David USA, Brad Butterworth NZL) , the third-ranked 'Raggamuffin' (Syd Fisher AUS) has now also suffered damage to her starboard daggerboard. 'Comanche' has a rudder damage as well. These incidents have slowed the leading trio, but 'Comanche' was still 20 miles in front of 'Rambler' this morning UTC with 67 miles to go to Hobart. 'Raggamuffin' (Syd Fischer AUS) on rank 3 is 64 miles behind.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos

The heavy storms hitting the Sydney-Hobart fleet yesterday took a toll: 10 teams were forced to abandon the race with damages among them the multiple winner 'Wild Oats XI', shredding her mainsail, and with 'Perpetual Loyal', another Super-Maxi retired early. The leading 'Comanche' had to slow down after a collision with flotsam, and for a short moment, the 88-foot-Maxi 'Rambler' (George David USA with Andrew Cape USA and Brad Butterworth NZL) took the lead. This morning, 'Comanche' was back on top with a 7 miles advantage. But in the dying winds ahead, 'Rambler' could well be back. Over half of the distance is still left, and also the fight for rank three will be very close between the 100-foot-maxi 'Raggamuffin' (Syd Fischer AUS) and the Volvo 70 'Maserati' of Giovanni Soldini ITA, separated by 4 miles only.
The race viewer, the reports and the videos.

This morning at 2 hrs UTC, the start to the 71st Sydney-Hobart Race was given on Sydney Harbour. After some position changes around the run-off marks in the Harbour, it was 'Comanche' with Jim Clark USA and Ken Read USA taking the lead in the race off the Heads on the open ocean. Compared with the other three Super-Maxis, 'Comanche' is considered the fastest in fresh downwinds, but slower in light winds .... and the approach on Hobart will probably be light. But first, a heavy rain front with winds of up to 45 kn has to be crossed, that will shake up the fleet in the coming hours.
The report, the race viewer and the videos, where the video of the start will be added shortly.

The start to the Sydney-Hobart Race will be given in Sydney tomorrow at 2 a.m. UTC. After years with the Super-Maxi 'Wild Oats XI' winning, the situation this year is as open as never since quite some time, as four other Super-Maxis will be on the starting line, among them the brand-new 'Comanche' from the USA. In addition, the weather forecast predicts variable conditions with moderate winds along the coast followed by a strong frontal system from the South West with gusts of up to 45 kn. Approaching Tasmania, the wind will decrease again. 86 teams, among them the Archambault 13 'Teasing Machine' with Eric de Turckheim FRA.
The official preview.