Tassie yacht sidelined in Sydney to Hobart race

A Tasmanian yacht has been towed to shore in a heartbreaking sideline from the Sydney to Hobart race.

Greg Prescott skipper and owner of boat 2Unlimited. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE crew of Tasmanian yacht 2Unlimted is counting its blessings after hitting a sunfish in the Sydney-Hobart last night, snapping off the rudder and having to be rescued by the police launch Van Diemen – twice.

While fellow-Tasmanian 66-footer Alive leads the race on overall handicap and is the boat to beat for the Tattersalls Cup, the 40-footer 2Unlimited was 30 nautical miles off Bicheno when it hit the sunfish at 14 knots.

Skipper Greg Prescott described it as like running aground.

2Unlimited was immediately disabled and radioed for help. No one was injured.

The Van Diemen was on the scene three hours later and towed 2Unlimited to Bicheno, where it set anchor.

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Tasmanian yacht 2Unlimited anchored in Falmouth after a devastating early exit from the 2018 Sydney to Hobart. Picture: SUPPLIED

Onboard Tasmanian yacht 2Unlimited, which has had an early exit from the 2018 Sydney to Hobart race. Picture: SUPPLIED

2Unlimited, Greg Prescott’s modified Farr 40, having its first ocean race ahead of this year's Sydney-Hobart. Picture: PETER CAMPBELL

“The sunfish clipped the keel and on the way past took out the rudder,” Prescott said.

“Then we saw the sunfish and rudder floating around.

“It was like running around. We came nearly to a dead stop.

“We’d just got up to fifth on handicap and then that happened.

“We’re disappointed but it’s what can happen, and it can happen to anyone.”

2Unlimited arrived in Bicheno at 3am.

“We put our anchor down and it was blowing about 30 knots,” Prescott said.

“Then it came in at 50 and we started dragging and almost went onto the rocks.

“Then the Van Diemen came and got us again and towed us up to Falmouth, about six miles north.

“So we had to be rescued twice.

“We’re tied up to the stern of the Van Diemen at the moment and we’re trying to work out what to do.”

Prescott does not feel bitter about having his race being wrecked.

“It’s part of doing the race,” he said.

“There is marine life out there and from time to time the racing yacht can hit them.

“The sunfish was ok, It swam away. It has happened many times in the past.

“In a few days I will have forgotten about it and be worrying about next year.”

Prescott believes Alive, fifth boat over the line yesterday behind the four supermaxis, can win the race.

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“Alive has got it, no worries at all,” he said.

“No one will get them.”

Line honours winner Wild Oats XI will face the Sydney-Hobart’s independent international jury at 1pm to answer allegations that its Automatic Identification system was not operational for part of the race.

If found guilty, it may be stripped of its line honours victory for the second consecutive Sydney-Hobart.