Sydney-Hobart result hangs on weather in Bass Strait

Bass Strait appears to be where the 74th running of the race will be won or lost. It’s is also where any chance of a race record could be thwarted by a light breeze after a super-fast start.

Bass Strait could make or break racers’ chances.

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• Remembering the 1998 tragedy

Bass Strait, the infamous body of water which decimated the Sydney to Hobart fleet two decades ago, appears to be where the 74th running of the race will be won or lost.

It’s is also where any chance of a race record could be thwarted by a light, shifting breeze after a super-fast start on Boxing Day.

“The wind looks like it might go a little AWOL for a while there and then come back,” meteorologist Roger Badham said.

David Sudano, who will be aboard overall contender Primitive Cool, added: “We will need plenty of coins for the parking metre.”

But with their massive sails, the 100-footers which headline the race could still navigate their way across the tricky waters without grinding to a complete halt.

Bass Strait could make or break racers’ chances.

The long-range forecast appears to rule out anyone threatening Comanche’s record of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds for the 628-nautical mile race south.

That is despite the fact the fleet is expected to head down the NSW coast at high speed on the first afternoon and night of the race.

However, Badham said the forecast needed only to alter slightly — and there is time for it do so — for the race record to again be achievable.

“If the big boats have eight to 10 knots of breeze they go bloody fast,’’ Badham said.

Veteran navigator, Lindsay May knows how to handle the Strait. (Hollie Adams)

The good news for the fleet of 87 is there is nothing too nasty on the cards.

In 1998, a deep low exploded over the fleet in Bass Strait, sinking yachts and claiming the lives of six men.

“It’s looks a little like last year, it is looking fairly benign,’’ said Kialoa navigator Lindsay May, who is contesting his 46 consecutive Sydney to Hobart.

The forecast could suit the likes of Matt Allen’s defending champion Ichi Ban, Matt Short’s Bush Paul Group, Tony Kirby’s 46-footer Patrice, the American yacht Privateer and Stacey Jackson’s Ocean Respect racing team on the 66-footer Wild Oats XI.

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Originally published as Sydney-Hobart result hangs on weather in Bass Strait