Yachting: Setbacks before Sydney to Hobart

Teams take part in last year's race. Photo / Getty Images

The newest and least-experienced boat in the Sydney to Hobart race has suffered a setback and two British entries have crew members stranded at home due to snowstorms.

Salona II, the only boat in the fleet of 89 yet to race competitively, suffered damage to its electricals after the new yacht filled with two tonnes of water on Saturday following a problem with a hose pipe.

Seven members of the highly fancied British handicap contender RAN were unable to catch a flight from Heathrow due to the treacherous conditions and won't join the remainder of their team until Thursday or Friday.

Two crew members from another British boat, Titania of Cowes, also had their departure delayed by the weather, although their most illustrious member, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, has already arrived in Australia.

Another European entry experiencing problems was the French boat L'ange de Milon, which was not scheduled to arrive in Newcastle until tomorrow and Sydney on Thursday after it was mistakenly transported to the United States.

"We just have to get our radio and safety checked, otherwise the boat is in working order. I hope we make the start line and I'm sure we can now," said skipper Jacques Pelletier.

RAN boat captain Wade Morgan said the delayed departure of crew members was a small inconvenience they would get over.

"The seven who are stuck are some of the most senior on the team," said Morgan, who is already in Australia.

"Plans for Tuesday and Wednesday haven't changed, but our crew training day that was planned for Thursday has been pushed back.

"It's not an ideal situation, but because most of the guys sail year-round on the boat, crew training is not a primary part of our preparation; everyone is at a high standard."

The fleet was reduced by one yesterday after the German-built 39-foot cruiser Sassy was ruled out after failing to meet eligibility requirements.

Salona II skipper Phillip King was adamant his new boat would make the Boxing Day start of the race despite the damage it suffered last Saturday.

"It took us all day to get the boat dried out. We lost some of our electricals which we are still trying to repair and we will be doing that and getting set for Hobart," King said.

Even before it hit the water last weekend, Salona II had experienced a troubled build-up.

"The factory built a boat and it didn't come up to our specifications, so they had to restart it and it put them behind, so the boat was actually a month late getting here to begin with," King said.

While Salona II did complete its 24-hour qualifying voyage for the Sydney to Hobart race last Wednesday, it has not been raced before.

"It's going to be a real challenge, because we don't know how the boat is going to compete against similar boats, it will be one of those unknown factors," King said.

King was still hopeful his boat could achieve a top-five placing in its division.

"The lack of time will be a real handicap to our chances of having a podium finish," King said.

- AAP