Sydney Hobart 2012 - Fast start in strong conditions

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2012 - Fast start in strong conditions

The 68th Rolex Sydney to Hobart started at 1300, today Boxing Day, with just 76 boats after the sensational exclusion of Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing, under heavy skies with a 18-20 knot south easterly. Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI blasted of the northern end of the line with Black Jack and Ragamuffin Loyal slightly behind Oats. Oats XI three sail reached towards the Harbour exit. She already had a big lead at the first turning mark under North Head and she rounded some 90 seconds ahead of Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin Loyal, Peter Harburg’s Black Jack, then came Peter Millard and John Honan’s Lahana followed by Matt Allen’s VOR 70 IchiBan. Running towards the Heads, the 100s and the 60s and 50s choose to go with code zeros. Wild Oats XI put a reef in just before North Head as did Ragamuffin Loyal. The 66 footer Black Jack was close behind the two 100 footers. If she ...

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