Sydney to Hobart gun URM chasing a piece of race history as supermaxis fly home

While the supermaxis celebrate their arrival, another Sydney to Hobart crew will still be at sea on Wednesday chasing a special piece of race history thanks to “fresh to frightening winds”.

Yachts, (L-R) Wild Oats, Alive, URM Group and LawConnect at the start of the Sydney to Hobart.

While the supermaxis were racing towards the finish of the race on Tuesday the remainder of the Sydney to Hobart fleet were bracing for “fresh to frightening’’ winds one crew hopes will blow them into race history.

The Sydney yacht URM is attempting to hunt down a five-year-old record in the 77th Sydney to Hobart owned by a famous boat, with her crew hoping wild winds of 30 plus knots late will aid her bid.

On a day Koa became the third retirement after breaking her rudder, the fleet was preparing for potentially damaging winds by readying smaller sails, resting helmsman and key personnel, refuelling with food and drink and monitoring the weather closely.

On Anthony Johnston’s 70-footer URM, skipper Marcus Ashley-Jones and his team were thrilled about the tougher conditions.

“We are expecting fresh to frightening 30 knots and we are getting everyone well rested to prepare for it and we have a small sail ready to pull up,’’ he said.

“It’s a real opportunity for us.

URM is chasing a special piece of race history.

“We aren’t expecting drama. The only think we want to break is the conventionally ballasted record that it held by Ichi Ban.’’

Matt Allen and his crew set this record in 2017 of 1 day 19 hours 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

Ashley-Jones said his team need to make Hobart by 9am Wednesday to claim it but haven’t discounted a top result in the overall race yet.

“The 52-footers are looking good but we need to make a play when the breeze comes in,’’ he said.

“Absolutely we think we are a chance. Anything can happen out there and we are still working hard.’’

Marcus Ashley-Jones is skipper of the yacht URM. 2

Earlier in the day Wild Oats revealed it had suffered sail damage during the first night and lost vital ground on her 100-foot rivals Andoo Comanche, Law Connect and Black Jack but was “up for a chase’’.

Wild Oats veteran Chris Links said in a call to NewsLocal a seam across one of their big downwind sails split, causing issues.

The crew had to pull the sail down, a job made more difficult by a cable inside the front edge of the sail which is allows it to be rolled up when not in use.

“It is not an easy job,’’ Links said. “It has a cable in it and we had to do the repair on deck.

“It took around one and a half hours to repair.’’

In contrast Andoo Comanche reported it had no issues at all.

Koa was a high profile casualty after losing her rudder in Bass Strait.

The yacht requested assistance and fellow competitor Enterprise Next Generation stood by.

WILD TIMES! SPECIAL SAIL FOR LINE HONOURS CHASE

DEC 26: Wild Oats X1 is deploying a special sail named after the man who dreamt of building and racing one of the fastest supermaxis in the world - and did - in pursuit of her 10th line honours win in the Sydney to Hobart.

After a wild start - which saw both Wild Oats and Andoo Comanche do penalty turns - the 108 strong fleet then settled into their groove after the adrenaline rush start to the 77th race.

By Tuesday morning they were in Bass Strait.

“It’s pretty fantastic out her but that start was next level,’’ said LawConnect sailing master Christ Nicholson from the yacht late Monday about the start.

“There were a lot of boats coming through pretty small gaps.’’

Law Connect (L) and Wild Oats lead the fleet out of the heads.

Wild Oats helmsman Kyle Langford, an America’s Cup winner and one of the men charged with chasing down the line honours win - and potentially a new race record - revealed the yacht is carrying a new downwind sail named the Bob Oatley.

The late Oatley was the driving force behind Wild Oats which was launched in 2005 and less than two weeks later won the first of her nine Sydney to Hobart races.

“It flies better and is a special downwind sail,’’ Langford said.

“It’s a purpose built, a light running sail.’’

Wild Oats XI is chasing a 10th line honours win.

This could come in handy at various stages of the 628nm race which started under blue skies on Sydney Harbour on Monday, including what could be a light wind finish on the Derwent.

A fleet of 109 yachts hit four start lines on the harbour with thousands on water craft and watching from he foreshore.

Four supermaxis are chasing the line honours victory this year in Andoo Comanche, LawConnect, Black Jack and Wild Oats.

Kyle Langford has previously been aboard Comanche in the Sydney to Hobart.

“There is something for everyone in this race,’’ said Andoo Comanche sailing master Iain Murray who has sailed on all of Wild Oats’ nine wins in the past but is now working to beat her in 2022.

“Everyone could get what they like best at some stage.’’

The 77th edition of the race has eight internationals racing, including the highly fancied New Zealand yacht Caro, one of numerous 52-footers in the race south.

Other overall contenders could include Willow, Gweilo, Celestial, Warrior Won, Patrice and Chutzpah.