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Official affirmation of the Sydney to Hobart handicap winner has been placed on ice amid a declare for time redress by a yacht that went to assist a stricken fellow competitor.
NSW yacht Celestial, which crossed the road on Wednesday, is first within the total standings and anticipated to win after final 12 months shedding prime spot on account of a time penalty.
A listening to might be held on Thursday afternoon after Enterprise Subsequent Era utilized for redress for standing by Koa, which had suffered rudder injury and finally retired.
An official announcement concerning the total winner will not be made till after the listening to.
Enterprise Subsequent Era, which sits in 14th place on the general standings, may very well be awarded time for time misplaced racing.
Nonetheless, skipper Anthony Kirke stated he didn’t anticipate Enterprise Subsequent Era to oust Celestial from the highest spot.
“We’d squeeze into the highest 10. I do not assume we will problem Celestial,” he stated.
“They sailed a tremendous race. In my thoughts they’ve gained. I do not see us getting anyplace close to them.”
Kirke said his team lost about 70 minutes and then spent more time sailing upwind to Hobart as a result of the delay.
“We’ll get credit for that time. We’ll put all that on the table [at the hearing] and see where it goes,” he said.
The remaining fleet battled very rough seas on Wednesday night – the list of retirements grew to nine with New Caledonia’s Eye Candy (forestay damage) forced to pull the pin.
Victorian 47-footer Cyan Moon (damaged gooseneck) and NSW’s Flying Cloud (broken boom) both suffered damage but have continued sailing.
“We had strong winds – 25 gusting to 35 knots, 2.5 meter waves. (It was) very messy and confused. It was so nice to see the sun come out this morning,” Quantock navigator Jonathan Turner said.
Some 70 yachts from the starting fleet of 109 were still at sea at noon Thursday in much calmer conditions.
Last-placed two-handed yacht Currawong, being sailed by Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham, isn’t expected to arrive until next year.
Veteran Sydney sailor David Blanchfield was taken to hospital on Wednesday after arriving in Hobart with a broken leg after being tossed around in bad weather aboard Moneypenny.
Line honors were claimed by supermaxi Andoo Comanche for the fourth time in the early hours of Wednesday.
-AAP
