Rolex Sydney Hobart - Wild Oats XI turns for home

by Rob Kothe and the Sail-World Team on 28 Dec 2013 Rolex Sydney Hobart - Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI is around Tasman Light, and under Cape Raoull in heavy winds.

'There are lots of big northerly gusts coming through, up to 40 knots' reports Ian Fresh Burns from Wild Oats XI '. We had a good ride down the coast, we saw a lot of 30+ knot boat speed, now we are around the corner, with no gear issues and its very pleasant sailing ' Their ETA in Hobart is 7pm local time.

As the Reichel Pugh 100 blast reaches toward Hobart and her seventh line hours win, behind her Anthony Bell's Perpetual Loyal, is 50 nautical miles back surfing past Maria Isand. The Juan K(Kouyoumdjian) designed Loyal needs strong conditions to fly and flying she is now,

Syd. Fisher's Ragamuffin has been trying to close the gap to Loyal for the last 24 hours. A few hours ago the gap between the two boats was less than three nautical miles but now its widening rapidly, now out to 11 miles.

Then there is a 25 mile gap to Peter Harburg Black Jack, the Volvo 70 impressively holding out Karl Kwok's Botin 80 who is battling to keep Jim Delegat's Volvo 70 Giacomo at bay at the same time.

But these are boat breaking conditions, Tasman Island just recorded a 50 knot gust and its going to be a wild ride for the next boats at the corner.