Alive becomes the first casualty
Phillip Turner’s Tasmanian yacht Alive, skippered by Duncan Hine, was the first to withdraw, announcing its retirement shortly after 1600hrs. The withdrawal was due to Engine Issues.
This marks a premature end to the campaign of a boat with a storied history, having claimed victory in the race in 2018 and repeating the feat in 2023.
Tragedy strikes Transcendence Rudy Project
Just two hours later, the father-and-son team of Martin and John Cross aboard their Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 Transcendence Rudy Project were forced to retire after losing their mast off the New South Wales coast near Kiama.
The duo, competing in the Double Handed category, had covered 50 nautical miles when the dismasting occurred shortly after 1820hrs. Their retirement is a significant blow, as they had previously shown promise in the division, finishing seventh in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s 2022 race.
For Martin and John, the loss is deeply personal. Speaking from the scene, they expressed their devastation at the abrupt end to their race.
The fleet leaders
While two boats have exited the race early, the competition at the front of the fleet remains fierce. Master Lock Comanche currently leads, holding an 8.3-nautical-mile advantage over LawConnect. Meanwhile, Wild Thing 100 trails in third place, 9.5nm further behind the leader.
With just hours into the race, it’s clear that the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is already shaping up to be an eventful and unpredictable spectacle. Stay tuned as the fleet continues its journey to Hobart.
