Thunderstorms and high winds reaching 80 knots have swept through the Sydney-Hobart race fleet causing damage and many retirements. No injuries have been reported but 11 yachts have retired including Secret Men’s Business and Ausmaid who lost their masts, Broomstick who suffered damage to her rigging and Wild Thing and Cadibarra who suffered mainsail damage. Simply red also had to retire with a broken forestay. Ludde Ingvall’s Nicorette suffered sail damage but thanks to a spare mainsail, they have been able to continue with the race and retain fourth position.

Grundig is the latest boat to have reported damage and has issued a standby emergency call to nearby vessels. Reports indicate the yacht has suffered a major delamination in its bow and is taking in water.

Meanwhile, djuice dragons, one of the VOR boats competing in the race who suffered a leaky bow tank overnight, is now back on form thanks to some swift bailing out/repair work by the crew.

Another VOR boat in trouble is Tyco who, according the Sydney-Hobart website news page, failed to meet a mandatory safety check-in with Race Control when abeam of Green Cape, approaching Bass Strait and will not be recorded as a finisher in the Sydney Hobart Race. However, it will not affect her overall position in the VOR. A decision on whether Tyco challenges the ruling is expected to be made tomorrow.

Thankfully the violent conditions the fleet experienced overnight have now eased and the leading yachts are already a third of the way through the race, with the line honours winner expected to arrive some time on Saturday morning.