Skipper of Sydney to Hobart supermaxi Scallywag ‘screwed’ by crucial sail damage

THE hopes of one of the favourites for this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race are hanging by a thread after two sails “shredded like tissue paper” just two weeks out from the bluewater classic.

It’s a huge blow so close to the race. (Brett Costello)

• Jordan Mercer ‘booted’’ out of ironwoman series
• Wendy Tuck joins old rival in Syd-Hob

THE hopes of one of the favourites for this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race are hanging by a thread after two crucial sails “shredded like tissue paper” on Tuesday, just two weeks out from the bluewater classic.

The team of supermaxi Scallywag are in a race against time to either buy or lend sails from one of their rivals but skipper David Witt warned that even if they were successful, the sails might not actually fit the Hong Kong 100-foot yacht.

“I think we may be screwed,” Witt said.

OH BABY: Julian Wilson’s special motivation

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE: For Sydney to Hobart women’s crew

The major disaster unfolded during Tuesday’s SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour, won by Wild Oats XI for the seventh time.

Crew aboard Scallywag change a sail during the Solas Big Boat Challenge. (Brett Costello)

Despite the sail damage, Witt and his team managed to finish Tuesday’s race.

Once back on the dock, they immediately started looking for solutions to help get them on to the starting line for the Sydney to Hobart, where they are the $5 third favourite with the TAB.

Witt believes the issue started when the boat docked at its last port of call before arriving in Australia.

“We think the glue (on the sail) has melted in the heat in the Philippines,” Witt said.

“They have also been in a container aboard a ship for six weeks so that hasn’t helped.

“I don’t know if we are going to be able to do the Hobart race right now.

“We’re making calls to see if we can borrow or buy sails but even then they may not fit.

“We have a whole boat of new sails, these were the only two old ones

left. They just disintegrated like tissue paper.”

It’s a huge blow so close to the race. (Brett Costello)

Witt and his team missed last year’s Sydney to Hobart as they were racing in the most recent Volvo round the world race.

But work on their 100-footer continued with the yacht arriving in Australia with a new keel and aspirations of claiming line honours.

“This is a nightmare,” Witt said.

Tuesday was a dream finish for Wild Oats XI, whose crew celebrated victory over the Mark Bradford-skippered Black Jack in their last race before the Boxing Day start of the Sydney to Hobart.

“They (Big Boat and Sydney to Hobart) are two different races but we always go out there to win,” skipper Mark Richards said.

“This is about confidence, going round the corners and doing a good job, putting the guys through the paces.”

Wild Oats XI looks in good shape. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)-

Wild Oats XI, an eight-time line honours winner, is chasing Sydney to Hobart success after incurring a time penalty a year ago which delivered the line honours win and race record into the hands of Jim Cooney and his Comanche crew.

Comanche, which opted to bypass the Big Boat Challenge, is the early favourite to defend her crown after a series of success in recent ocean races.

Also in with a shot is the Queensland yacht Black Jack and fellow supermaxi InfoTrack.

Every Test, ODI, T20I, and BBL match live. SIGN UP NOW!