Sydney - Hobart

[Thistle]

I rather fancy Scallywag for line honours. A little behind Black Jack at the moment but seems likely to be on a reach while BJ is still beating closer inshore. Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2021

What do others think?

 

[dunedin]

I rather fancy Scallywag for line honours. A little behind Black Jack at the moment but seems likely to be on a reach while BJ is still beating closer inshore. Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2021

What do others think?

Scallywag looks to be upwind of the two boats ahead on theory, so effective leader at the moment - but a long way to go.

May just be temporary problems or data gaps, but Law Connect seems to be stationary and Ichi Ban going very slowly.

 

[Fimacca]

apparently a quarter of boats had to retire....due to weather and problems. is that usual ?

Blackjack and scallywag look pretty far ahead of the others currently........

 

[Fr J Hackett]

apparently a quarter of boats had to retire....due to weather and problems. is that usual ?

Blackjack and scallywag look pretty far ahead of the others currently........

Weather often takes its toll it can be brutal, Scallywag did well to recover the lost ground due to its sail problem at the start. It looks to me to be between Law connect and Black Jack

 

[Concerto]

apparently a quarter of boats had to retire....due to weather and problems. is that usual ?

It seems problems with mainsails is the main cause for retirement, but TP52 Denali has a hull crack and TP52 Gweilo has an unstable rig.
Sydney Hobart – Pan. Pan. Denali (sail-world.com)

It looks like a close tussle between Black Jack and LawConnect for line honours. The tracker plot is what to watch as it also shows wind direction.
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2021

 

[Neeves]

The problems resulting in retirement have not been clearly defined.

However one common issue has been the short sharp seas that developed due to the southerly wind meeting the south flowing East Australian Current (that further north at least can flow at over 4 knots). Yachts would head for the current, as it provides an obvious lift, but this has been partially negated by the southerly wave system. If sailing south we would take advantage of the current (crudely we would follow the 100 fathom line and watch water temps assiduously) but would not attempt to go south with a big, 35 knot, southerly forecast. The navigators would have access to the EAC flow - widely available. Mention has been made that conditions have been very uncomfortable. One retirement was due to either a dislocated shoulder or broken arm (maybe one and the same or 2 incidences). One yacht seemed to have a loose spinnaker halyard which tore the mainsail. There has been mention of hull damage, sufficient to require a Pan-Pan call - hitting something at speed, coming of as big wave?? - no mention.

A factor not mentioned - if any of the crew received a positive Covid result subsequent to the race commencing that yacht would not be allowed to discharge crew in Hobart - meaning they would need to finish the race and immediately turn back to Sydney (with a Covid crew member on board). It is not clear, at all, if this has been a factor in the retirements.

It will be interesting and educational to read the postmortems. The level of retirement does seem high (but then I have never sailed in the conditions of this year's race and never participated in the Sydney Hobart).

Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

I don't think the mainstream media is the location, no disrespect, - but I think it would be invaluable for many, as a summary from safety authorities (or focused sailing media) what are the issues causing the level of retirement (or losses) for major yacht races or sailing events.

Currently we have vague mainstream media offering (possibly) sensational failure (torn mainsails, broken arms, hull damage), and even less detail for the Scillies storm - what are the actual lessons?

Or do I need to get out more.

Jonathan

 

[Stemar]

ISTM that that should be the function of the Yottie comics, especially those whose target audience is racers, with a digest of the issues and lessons to be learned for more normal sailors in the mainstream ones.

 

[Thistle]

The problems resulting in retirement have not been clearly defined.

However one common issue has been the short sharp seas that developed due to the southerly wind meeting the south flowing East Australian Current (that further north at least can flow at over 4 knots). Yachts would head for the current, as it provides an obvious lift, but this has been partially negated by the southerly wave system. If sailing south we would take advantage of the current (crudely we would follow the 100 fathom line and watch water temps assiduously) but would not attempt to go south with a big, 35 knot, southerly forecast. The navigators would have access to the EAC flow - widely available.

Surely this has to qualify as talk of current affairs?