Rolex Sydney to Hobart 2013 – Major changes in leaderboard

by Rob Kothe and the Sail-World Team on 27 Dec 2013 Since taking the lead in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 2013 two hours ago, Anthony Bell’s Perpetual Loyal has headed well offshore. She is currently abeam to Batemans Bay 120 nautical miles south of Sydney. She is just 12 nautical miles off the position that Wild Oats XI was in at the same time in the 2012 record breaking run. Given the fact that Loyal has now transitioned into a strong northerly breeze her lead could be expected to accelerate over the next few hours.

Sensationally now in second place in Kiwi Jim Delegat’s Giacoma, the Volvo 70 formally Groupama.

Languishing nine nautical miles behind the leader is Mark Richard’s skippered Wild Oats XI is in less pressure on the rhumbline going six knots slower. Outside her is another Volvo 70, Peter Harburg’s Black Jack, the former Telefonica.

Another five nautical miles back is Syd Fischers Ragamuffin almost stalled inside the rhumbline doing three knots along with Karl Kwok’s Boton 80 Beau Geste. Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing is now 18 miles behind the leader.

Gerhard Ruether¡s' Zefiro and Matt Allen's Ichi Ban are together still just east of the rhumbline and 28 and 29 nautical miles respectively behind the leader.

On IRC handicap overall Giacoma is a stunning six hours ahead of Ron Foster and Phil Damps Ariel, on corrected time with Ed Salter’s Midnight Rambler third. On ORCi Ariel leads Chris Manton’s Senna from Tim Cox’s Mnerva.

On PHS David Pescud’s Faceboat Sailors with DisAbilities, well offshore 29 nautical miles east of Jarvis Bay is the clear leader ahead of Damian Park’s Duende with Murray Owen and Jenny King’s Art Equity Mahligai third.

In the Clipper fleet Henri Lloyd is now eight nautical miles ahead of Switzerland, closely followed by Derry-Londonderry-Doire.

In the Sydney 38s Gordon Ketelbey’s Zen continues to lead ahead of Glen Clinnick’s Audacious. Stephane Howarth’s Mille Sabords, with more firepower, has sailed through Tony Levett’s TSA Management into third place.