The 2024 Sydney to Hobart yacht race has already delivered high drama just hours after the starting gun, with reigning overall handicap winner Alive stunning the fleet by becoming the first retirement. The 66-footer was forced out with engine issues off the coast of Wollongong, dashing hopes of a historic threepeat.
Alive’s exit reduces the fleet to 103 boats as they charge down the New South Wales coast, propelled by a powerful north-easterly breeze. The retirement is a crushing blow for a yacht that was poised to join the elite club of just three other boats to have claimed the overall title three times – Freya, Love & War and Ichi Ban.
Alive boasted an all-star crew including Adrienne Cahalan, the most successful woman in the race’s history, making the early departure even more shocking.
Fierce Conditions Ahead
As Alive limps back to shore, the remaining yachts are steeling themselves for a wild ride through the notorious Bass Strait overnight. Weather forecasts are predicting:
- Strong west-southwesterly change
- Gale force winds
- Heavy showers and squalls
The smaller boats in particular will be tested to their limits as the sea state whips up. Experts say these are prime conditions for gear failure and crew injuries. It will take exceptional seamanship to safely navigate the tempestuous strait.
Comanche Surges Ahead
Meanwhile at the head of the pack, line honors favorite Master Lock Comanche has surged to a comfortable 7 nautical mile lead over rival LawConnect. Comanche seized the advantage after LawConnect was hampered by a furling line malfunction exiting Sydney Heads.
Determined to avenge their narrow 51-second defeat to LawConnect in 2023, Comanche’s crew are highly motivated.
“We’ve got one goal, we’re going to lock this up,” co-skipper James Mayo boldly declared before the start. “There’s a lot of people who sailed on this boat last year who missed out narrowly and this year, they’re hungrier than ever.”
– James Mayo, Comanche co-skipper
Race Rules Breached
An early incident involving a cluster of yachts saw URM Group penalized for failing to keep clear of Whisper and Wild Thing 100. The mini maxi had to complete a penalty turn to absolve the misstep or else face a time penalty in Hobart.
These on-water rulings by officials are not uncommon in the congested harbor start with so many yachts jostling for position. But losing even a few minutes at this early stage can prove costly for overall aspirations.
Retirements to Come
With the forecast ahead, pundits predict Alive will not be the last yacht to pull the pin well before Hobart. The attrition rate may be high, but those who can skillfully ride out the stormy Bass Strait will be well positioned for handicap glory.
All eyes now turn to the night ahead as the intrepid fleet charges towards Tasmania and the next challenge the Great Southern Ocean will hurl at them. With champagne sailing conditions at their back but mayhem ahead, the 77th Sydney to Hobart is already one for the ages.
