One of the leading super maxis in the Sydney to Hobart, Sun Hung Kai Scallywag, has retired from the race after breaking its bowsprit (the spar extending from the front of the vessel) and retired from the race, leaving the fleet at 83.
It is the second boat to retire from the race after Zen, the 52-footer owned by electrical industry entrepeneur Gordon Ketelbey, sustained rig damage.
Under repair: Scallywag at the start of the Sydney to Hobart race, before it sustained damage.Credit:Nick Moir
The super maxi is owned by wealthy Hong Kong financier, Aveo chairman Seng Huang Lee.
It is expected to return to port in Sydney.
Advertisement
Scallywag's retirement is not the first misfortune the yacht has suffered; it broke two sails in a warm-up event for the bluewater classic.
Last year's winner Comanche was leading the Sydney to Hobart fleet past Kiama at 4:30pm on Boxing Day, with five super maxis out in front and the rest of the fleet between Kiama and Sydney.
Black Jack was the first yacht to round the heads, taking just over 13 minutes to clear the harbour from the starting line.
The harbour was crowded with hundreds of spectator boats, making navigating difficult for some of the super maxis.
InfoTrack, Wild Oats XI and Scallywag followed Black Jack out of the harbour. In a surprise turn, smaller 60-foot boat Winning Appliances was next, followed by Comanche.
Difficult wind conditions and the challenge of navigating media and spectator boats saw Comanche start slower than some of its rivals.
No boats were penalised for crossing the starting line early, unlike last year, when three boats had to restart.
Reaching the heads first is not an indication of which boat is likely to ultimately win the race, but it does provide the crew with a morale boost and entitle them to the Jack Rooklyn Memorial Trophy.
Out of the blocks: Black Jack leads the fleet through Sydney Heads.Credit:AAP
The moderate wind conditions, blowing north to north easterly on Boxing Day, favoured boats with less weight like Black Jack. However, Black Jack has had modifications to its keel since the last Sydney to Hobart to improve its performance in heavier conditions.
What impact that has on the boat in its traditionally favoured conditions remains to be seen.
Gun Runner, the Australian Army training vessel and smallest boat in the fleet, was last to clear the heads.
Last year's overall winner Matt Allen said forecast slower winds from Thursday evening left the race for overall honours wide open.
“The conditions have really been slowing down for the entire fleet,” Allen said before boarding his yacht Ichi Ban.
“So were really concerned that the transition we are going to get tomorrow and the 28th is really going to slow the whole fleet down.
“It is going to be really hard work. Tonight will be really fast. It will slow down eventually, but through the course of tomorrow, its going to be about people avoiding the areas of no wind.
“I think the leaderboard is going to change a lot through the course of this race.
Ichi Ban, French yacht Teasing Machine and American entry Privateer are all a chance at overall honours.
If the wind dies down quickly and does not pick up until the fastest boats have finished the race then Mark Twain, the first boat to complete 25 Hobarts now owned by legendary skipper Michael Spies, would also be a favourite to take the Tattersall Cup for overall honours.
This race is the 20th anniversary of the 1998 disaster, when six sailors drowned at five boats were lost after a devastating storm hit the fleet near Bass Strait.
The fleet will observe a minute's silence on Thursday in honour of those who lost their lives two decades ago.
Nick is a journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Most Viewed in Sport
[contf] [contfnew] 
Australian Breaking News Headlines
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
