The first 10 boats have finished the Sydney to Hobart from a race fleet that has been decimated by withdrawals. NSW entry Celestial on Wednesday morning was the 10th yacht to reach Constitution Dock in three days, 17 hours and 22 minutes.
By the same time in 2014, 86 boats had finished the 628-nautical mile race. Celestial’s time was more than 33 hours behind race winner Comanche which reached Hobart on Monday night.
Forty-six boats are expected complete their voyage on Wednesday, which will bring in the bulk of the fleet.
From a start group of 108 boats, there have been 31 withdrawals, most citing damage after rough conditions on the first night. Defending champion Wild Oats XI was was one of the boats knocked out, with mainsail damage.
And the lead trio – Comanche, Ragamuffin and Rambler – each limped to the finish nursing damage to their rudder or dagger board or a combination of both.
Race veteran David Witt, sail master from Ragamuffin, said the 2015 race has thrown up the toughest conditions in years.
For the first time in his lengthy Sydney-Hobart career he was thrown into the water on night one as the 100-footer tipped, leaving her mast lying flat on top of the sea.
In the race for overall honours Paul Clitheroe’s boat Balance looks likely to take the title.
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