Sydney to Hobart yacht race drama, protest threat, sail issues, rainstorm at 2023 start, latest news

There was a violent thunderstorm, a frightening close call between two favourites, the threat of a race-end protest and sail issues all within half an hour of a drama-packed Sydney to Hobart start.

Andoo Comanche, LawConnect and Scallywag 100 caught in proximity at the start of the race. Picture: Richard Dobson

There was a violent thunderstorm, a frightening close call between two favourites, the threat of a race ending protest and a sail issue on a third all within half an hour of a drama-packed 78th Sydney to Hobart yacht race start on Sydney Harbour.

The start has set the scene for what is predicted to be the most challenging and testing race in recent years, complete with light breeze, windless parking lots, a conveyor belt of current and then a bruising southerly in Bass Strait for all but the bravest and fastest.

In an ominous preview of what is ahead over the next 24 hours or so for the fleet, the sky turned black and crews were soaked in a torrential deluge and electrical storm just before the 1pm start on Sydney Harbour.

“We were worried it would damage our electrics and tried to hide,’’ said URM skipper Marcus Ashley-Jones from sea on Tuesday night as the fleet headed down a storm-swept NSW coast.

Incredibly the sky was a cloudy streaked blue when the 1pm starting canon fired to send the starting fleet of 103 on its way in a race expected to test the majority with hours of bashing and crashing in big seas from late Wednesday.

SYDNEY TO HOBART: Live updates

Andoo Comanche making a quick getaway after the start. Picture: Richard Dobson

But the favourites didn’t have to wait long to be embroiled in drama with Andoo Comanche furious with David Witt’s Scallywag after it claimed they tacked too close to them in a port/starboard incident just after the start.

While adamant they had not infringed, Witt later took the prudent measure of doing two 360 degree penalty turns to negate the issue.

“We’ve done our circles,’’ Witt confirmed to NewsCorp from sea.

Spectators watch the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht at Hornby Lighthouse near Watsons Bay on Boxing Day. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Thomas Parrish

This followed on from LawConnect, the 100-footer owned and skippered by Christian Beck, losing valuable time with a furling issue.

In a bizarre scene, she was forced to do a 360 degree turn to help sort the sail issue which prompted mass confusion, many believing at first it was a penalty turn for an unknown altercation with another yacht.

Scallywag before the incident with Andoo Comanche. Picture: Richard Dobson

The Sydney to Hobart start never disappoints,’’ Witt said from sea.

“Now its just super tricky out here.’’

And rough.

Ashley-Jones, on the overall contender URM said he has never seen such confused seas.

“It’s awful, it’s coming from everywhere,’’ he said.

But it’s just a small taste of what’s ahead with top yachting forecaster Roger Badham keeping a close eye on the intensity of southerly winds and waves in Bass Strait he is predicting only yachts 60-footer and bigger or faster will manage to avoid for any significant length of time.

A fleet of 103 yachts started the race on Boxing Day.

“It’s not the worse we have ever seen but its still up to 30 knots with 3m seas,’’ he said.

“It’s where boats will break but it’s not life threatening.’’

Those conditions were witnessed in the 1998 race - 25 years ago - where six men died and 55 were rescued when a Bass Strait bomb in the form of a deep depressions exploded over the fleet on day two.

On Tuesday, in stark contras to those turbulent conditions the fleet were slipping down the coast below the race record pace of LDV Comanche back in 2017 of just over one day, nine hours and 15 minutes.

But prior to leaving, Andoo Comanche skipper John “Herman” Winning still held hope a new race record might be in the crazy mix of weather predicted across the racetrack the next day or so for his 100-footers swan song.

“I think we feel good, well prepared, the boat in better shape than when we got it and I think the race is ours to lose,’’ he said.

“Things are still unpredictable but I’m sure the boat will do us proud and we will do her proud.

“We think the record is still there. It will be very close. We will have to sail out of our skins. It’s a 10-20 per cent chance.’’

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