It has been a tricky start to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race for all of the Jeanneau Sun Fasts, and in fact for all of the smaller yachts in the fleet. With a southerly start, the double-handed and smaller IRC boats were positioned on start line three, with the PHS entries behind them on line four. In these conditions, failing to nail the boat end of the line almost guarantees falling straight into bad air, before being rolled by the faster boats from the fleet. The result is often a congested and stressful first mark rounding, with around 30 boats arriving together, running deep and all trying to drop spinnakers at the same time.
Given the length and demands of the Sydney Hobart, many crews sensibly choose to prioritise safety over early gains, aiming to stay clear, avoid damage, and exit the harbour intact. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any photo or video coverage of that first mark rounding, but from what we could see it appeared that Sun Fast 3300 “Borderline” and the Sun Fast 3600 “Beautemps” negotiated it in reasonable shape. Sun Fast 3300 “Toucan” was some distance behind, with the Sun Fast 3300 “Hip-Nautic” further back again.
In conversations with the crews of the two Sun Fast 3300s, “Toucan” and “Borderline”, before the start, it was clear they had slightly different game plans for once clear of the harbour. Those plans evolved again as the breeze proved lighter than expected inside the heads, combined with wind shadow and an uncomfortable sea state. As a result, many boats carried more sail than they had originally planned.
My understanding is that “Borderline” started with their reefable AP headsail, effectively a number two on hanks that can be reefed to a number three from the cockpit, combined with a full mainsail. “Toucan”, by contrast, may have opted for a number four headsail and full main, aiming to avoid an early bare-headed sail change once they reached the true breeze offshore. This likely explains how “Borderline” was able to make early gains and stay powered up enough to tack back into smoother water, while many boats pushed hard offshore into a particularly rough sea state. “Hip-Nautic” initially committed to heading offshore as well, which did not look promising early on, but a long tack back in overnight has since brought them back into contention.
Twenty-four hours into the race, it has been a classic game of snakes and ladders. Boats returning from the edge of the south-going current have made gains, only to give some of that back when stepping out again on starboard. The most consistent performers appear to be those that worked just to the edge of the current before returning to the rhumb line, then stepping out again later. Boats that came inside the rhumb line in the early hours approaching Jervis Bay generally paid a penalty.
At the time of writing, “Borderline” is leading the Sun Fast charge, sitting fourth overall in the double-handed division and third in division. “Toucan” is close behind in fifth double-handed. Among the fully crewed boats, the Sun Fast 3600 “Gizmo” is leading the other two 3600s.
There is still plenty to play for.
Lee Condell
PBS Director
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