Battling Bass Strait
The fleet has faced harsh conditions crossing the infamous Bass Strait, with its unforgiving swells and gusting winds. Many boats, including the Volvo 70
Celestial V70
and
Wild Thing 100
, have navigated these treacherous waters with remarkable skill. As the race progresses, strategic decisions will become critical, especially with the forecasted variable winds along the Tasmanian coastline.
Close contenders
While
LawConnect
crossed the finish line early this morning, competition remains fierce for IRC Overall honours.
Celestial V70
, skippered by Sam Haynes of NSW, holds a commanding 4.5-hour lead on corrected time, ahead of
Caro
(NZ),
No Limit
, and
Whisper
. The Corinthian IRC division sees
Denali
,
Happy Wanderer
, and
Sirene
battling for top honours. The PHS standings highlight Ted Tooher’s Beneteau First 40
Chancellor
leading, followed by Charles Parry-Okeden’s Beneteau 40.7
Crystal Cutter 3
and Scott Lovell’s Farr 51
Just Farr Love
. Meanwhile, Double-Handed division bragging rights are still hard to call. On DH IRC, the Northshore 38
Inukshuk
, led by Robert Large and Stuart Watson, currently holds the top spot on corrected time, with
Mistral
and
Kismet
close behind. These crews demonstrate extraordinary seamanship as they tackle the race with minimal crew, a testament to their skill and endurance.
Inspiration amidst adversity
For many sailors, this race is not about winning but finishing. The strength and perseverance displayed by all participants deserve recognition. As Lynne Blair poignantly noted on the Rolex Sydney Hobart Facebook page, “I don’t think it is about winning anymore, just about finishing. All these amazing sailors deserve to be recognised and applauded.”
