Black Jack in Lead
Sydney to Hobart yacht race leader Black Jack on track to win line honours
Supermaxi Black Jack is leading the Sydney to Hobart fleet towards Bass Strait almost a day into the bluewater classic.As of midday AEDT Black Jack is in a commanding lead with SHK Scallywag further out to sea in second position and and Law Connect in 3rd position.
SHK Scallywag which as mentioned is further out to sea has moved into second place, ahead of LawConnect, which actually won Sydney Hobart line honours back in the 2016 edition when racing as Perpetual Loyal.
The Hong Kong-based Scallywag suffered sail problems on Day one when barely out of the Sydney Heads but has managed to keep going despite the apparent tack problem.
Race organisers report that conditions overnight were “pretty wet” but the crews “managed to get through” undeterred.
It has been a difficult experience for smaller yachts with nearly a third of the fleet now retired at sea or back in port
Almost a third of the original fleet of 88 have been forced to drop out in the first 24 hours of the race, with strong southerly winds reaching up to 30 knots creating very rough sea conditions.
