Sleepless in Hobart

by Rob Kothe on 29 Dec 2006 Dockside in Hobart, Matt Allen, the owner skipper of the Volvo 70, now a Jones 70 Ichi Ban, finished at 1:42 am this morning. Allen is nervously watching the weather this afternoon, as he checks the progress of the Lindsay May campaigned Love and War, John Williams Bacardi and now Sean Langman’s Maluka.

He is waiting to see if he can win the prized Tattersalls Cup for the overall IRC handicap win in the 2006 Rolex Sydney to Hobart. He is currently ranked third overall.

‘The weather is now so important, if Storm Bay does not shut down tonight we are toast, the pressure offshore seems to be dropping, but then again Maluka has so much time.

'In 2001, with our 60 footer Valtair was leading on PHS, we had to wait two and a half days to confirm a win. I can see this happening again and I might not sleep so well tonight.'

The current race leader is the 1972 and 1978 race winner, Love and War, skippered by 33 race veteran Lindsay May. She is currently 28nm NE of Cape Sonnerat with an ETA 30 Dec, 7:29am, she will win if she finishes before 11:46am tomorrow.

In second place is John Williams Bacardi, now 27nm NE of Cape Sonnerat. Her ETA is 7:19am tomorrow, a tough call if the breeze shuts down. She can win if she finishes before 9:46am.

Sean Langman's 1932 built gaff rigged Ranger 30 is another chance. She is 88nm E of Flinders Island, she has an ETA of 31 Dec, 1:31am, but can win if she sails across the finish by 11:50pm tomorrow night, again a tough call.