December 28, 2003

Australia/New Zealand for Visitors Blog Archives

« December 27, 2003 | Main | December 29, 2003 »

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The frontrunners are nearing the finish line in Hobart. At 11pm, December 28, Australian eastern daylight saving time, the super maxis Skandia and Zana were practically neck and neck as they prepared to turn west into the mouth of Tasmania's Derwent River.
Track the yachts as they race to the finish line upriver in Hobart.
What to see and do in Hobart.
11:00 PM #

Zana Takes, Loses Lead

The New Zealand super maxi Zana took the lead in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race mid-afternoon of December 28 after trailing the Australian yacht Skandia for most of the time since the race started in Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day. Skandia regained the lead later. Placings may continue to change as the frontrunners approach the finish line.
04:40 PM #

Skandia Maintains Slender Lead

At 12 noon, December 28, Australian eastern daylight saving time, Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race super maxi Skandia was still ahead by a slender margin to the New Zealand super maxi Zana, with Grundig in third place. Skandia was about 145 nautical miles to Hobart, and the first yacht is expected to reach the finish line around 8pm depending on wind and weather conditions. This time has now been revised to around 2am, Monday, December 29, Australian eastern daylight saving time.
12:00 PM #

Nicorette Retires from Race

Nicorette, one of the contenders for line honors in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race retired shortly after midnight and was heading to Eden in southern New South Wales following the discovery of cracks in support structures for the keel and damage to the hull. Nicorette was line honors winner in the Sydney to Hobart in 2000. Still in the lead at 1am today was Skandia, closely followed by Zana, with Grundig some distance third.

The line honors winner of this year's Sydney to Hobart is expected to sail into Tasmania's Derwent River and cross the finish line in Hobart late tonight.

Currently in second place, the 98-foot super maxi Zana, sail number NZL10001, is owned and skippered by Stewart Thwaites of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, New Zealand. Launched only this year, Zana is competing for the first time in the Sydney to Hobart. Untested in a long ocean race, it sailed more than 1000 nautical miles to come to Australia for the Boxing Day start of the Sydney to Hobart.

The race leaders are well into Bass Strait and approaching the eastern coast of Tasmania.

At 1.30am, Skandia was 228 nautical miles to Hobart.

01:30 AM #

Display Latest Headlines

Read Archives

Explore Australia / New Zealand Travel

Must Reads