Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Wedgetail suffers mast damage

by Di Pearson, RSHYR media on 28 Dec 2014 In the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2014, after being dismasted a short time ago, Giacomo, the Volvo 70 owned by New Zealander Jim Delegat, is motoring to the lee of Maria Island where her owner and crew will assess the weather ahead before deciding whether to motor to Hobart.

In other race news, a very disappointed Bill Wild has retired his Reichel/Pugh 55, Wedgetail, from the race after suffering mast damage in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s 628 nautical mile race at approximately 7.40pm off Schouten Island. All are safe and well on board. The yacht is motoring to Schouten Passage.

In last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, Wedgetail, from Queensland, was dismasted in a south-west gale east of Tasman Island in the early hours of December 29; this time it was the hard running conditions that took their toll.

Last year not forgotten by the crew, sailing master Kevin Costin said prior to this race, 'We’re checking everything, and checking it twice; dotting our ‘Is’ and crossing our ’Ts’.'

Eleven yachts have retired from the race to-date, and with Wild Oats XI taking her record eighth line honours victory and Comanche finishing a short time later, 104 yachts remain at sea.

The next three yachts expected to finish are the two supermaxis, Manouch Moshayedi’s RIO 100 (US), Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin 100 along with Peter Harburg’s VOR70, Black Jack – and not necessarily in that order. Ragamuffin 100 has been taking miles out of her US counterpart and may beat her to the punch. The trio is expected around 10.30pm, provided the breeze in the Derwent does not shut down on Event website