Bow Caddy Wrap of Day 2 of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
by Bow Caddy Media 27 Dec 2019 00:20 PST
Comanche powered up and heading South - open the throttles - we're off © Crosbie Lorimer
It’s been a challenging day for the fleet on their second day at sea, with the predicted transition of light air off the NSW south coast testing the navigators, who have been trying to best position themselves to get into the second phase of the race, across Bass Strait and down the Tasmanian east coast.
The slowly building easterly air stream today has carried the leaders across Bass Strait, with Comanche, Infotrack, Scallywag and Black Jack all within a few miles of each other and Wild Oats XI about eight miles adrift.
There’s long way to go yet, with a forecast of a fading breeze near Tasman Island tomorrow morning (Saturday), so it could be tomorrow afternoon before the Line Honours winner crosses the line.
Meantime, Lawrence Green’s Cailin Lomhara brings up the rear of the fleet, heading south at a steady 6 knots, about 40 nms east of the rhumbline, due east of Narooma.
At present the forecast for the second half of the fleet does not bring good news for those with aspirations for an overall handicap win. Various models on Predict Wind all show a fading breeze along the east coast of Tasmania tomorrow and that is followed by a light to moderate southerly, going into Sunday.
Enough food and water may be the main challenge for those at the back of the fleet!
Editor's Note:
Win again? Early call, but if the River does not lock everyone out, then maybe, just maybe...
Bow Caddy Media
Race Start Video