2024 Sydney Hobart – List of Retirees grows

by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS 26 Dec 18:00 UTC 26 December, 2024

Porco Rosso in the 2024 Sydney Hobart © Bow Caddy Media

Just like the weather overnight, the list of retirees continues to build. For 16 crews, the 2024 Sydney Hobart is over.

So, the boats and the issue that forced their hand are thus; -

Alive - Retired - engine issues Bacchanal - Retired - broken boom Bowline - Retired Calibre 12 - Retired - mainsail damage Centennial 7 - Retired - mainsail damage Ciao Bella - Retired - steering issues Flying Fish Arctos - Retired Master Lock Comanche - Retired - mainsail damage Mayfair - Retired - broken equipment Philosopher - Retired - dismasted Porco Rosso - Retired Rum Rebellion (DH) - Retired - equipment damage Transcendence Rudy Project (DH) - Retired - dismasted URM Group - Retired - dismasted Wild Oats - Retired - rigging damage Zeus - Retired - foil damage

That means 88 are still racing. Sadly, the latest retirements also very sadly include two deaths. Condolences to the families and friend, and heartfelt wishes to the crews of Bowline and Arctos Flying Fish.

Now at the time of writing this originally, LawConnect was in the lead by 10nm over Celestial V70, with Wild Thing 100 in third. LawConnect are basically closer to halfway through the journey, but of course now much slower at just 7 knots SOG. Indeed the speeds vary so much amongst the leaders that it shows there is more South now evident behind the initial trough, and the last band of breeze is migrating East off the racetrack, so if you are fast, then you may need to look at your bearing.

Is it so light that it has taken the option for race record away? Quite possibly. It depends on when the next Low smashes into Tasmania and how it affects the East coast.

Celestial V70 leads overall under IRC, as well as Div 0 and is second for Line Honours, No Limit is a feature of this mix, as well. Smuggler still leads Div 1, as too Yeah Baby for Div 2, Cocody from France has replaced Bacchanal from the USA for Div 3, Mistral Div 4 by now 20nm over Midnight Rambler, and Maritimo Katwinchar assumes top spot in Div 5. Mistral is in front on corrected time for the Double-Handers.

Please enjoy your yachting, stay safe, and thanks for tuning into Sail-World.com

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