Comanche steals the thunder

• NEWS
• 26 Dec, 2015 01:55:00 PM

Comanche steals the thunder

The US supermaxi Comanche has stolen the spotlight in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, leaping ahead of Wild Oats XI and Perpetual Loyal as they led the fleet down the NSW coast in a brisk, following north-easterly.

Already there has been one retirement, Ark323, one of the two Chinese entries. It was involved in a collision in the harbour and returned to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia marina. All aboard were safe.

As were the dignitaries aboard the start boat Aussie Legend, which began taking on water just before the start. People were transferred to another vessel, Majestic, at the Taronga Park wharf. It made it back to the start line to sound the start of the race with a horn rather than the traditional cannon.

The start was, as expected, spectacular. Wild Oats XI, the eight-time line honours winner, appeared to have the fleet covered after starting on the pin end of the line, but she was hauled in, first by Perpetual Loyal, which led at the first turning mark, and then by Comanche, which is storming down the coast at more than 20 knots.