Yachting: Wild Oats forced out of Sydney-Hobart

Wild Oats XI returns to Sydney with a torn mainsail after retiring from the Sydney to Hobart. Photo / Getty

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore, John Cameron, knew the brutal storm on opening night was going to take a toll on this year's Sydney to Hobart - but not this much.

The retirements of Pazazz, Takani, Brindabella and Patrice early on Sunday morning brings the total number of pull-outs to 14, the same as last year.

But none are bigger than defending line honours champion Wild Oats XI, who suffered mainsail damage and called it in around 10pm on Saturday night.

"I was surprised," Cameron told AAP. "I thought that Wild Oats would've conserved, and they probably did. But the breezes were getting up over 40 knots at one stage and with those increased speeds, the waves also increased.

"It's very difficult to sail through."

American supermaxi Comanche had led for most of Boxing Day but, after repairing her rudder overnight, is now neck-and-neck with fellow US raider Rambler 88 heading into the Bass Strait.

Australian 100-footer Ragamuffin and Italy's Maserati are not far behind.

While there is still half the race to go, it is now likely that the blue water classic will have its first international line honours winner since Swedish boat Assa Abloy went first past the post in 2001.

Cameron said he was impressed with Rambler's performance in her Hobart debut.
"It's 12 per cent smaller than the maxis and she's right in there," he said.

"I did say before that we had the four maxis and Rambler was going to be barking at their heels.

"Well, she's showing them her heels."

He also paid tribute to Wild Oats XI, who has taken out line honours in eight of the past ten races.

"That is a marvellous feat and something which will stand for a long time to come," he said.

Early reports indicate Wild Oats XI's sail tore in half when the yacht was hit by a 40-knot squall that accompanied a southerly change off the NSW south coast.

Another potential line honours winner, the celebrity-laden supermaxi Perpetual Loyal, retired with a broken rudder as a result of the devastating front.

Organisers labelled the conditions overnight "really nasty".

Comanche was initially going to quit the race after damaging her rudder.

"But they managed to undertake some repairs while they were out at sea and are still racing," a race media spokeswoman said.

Wild Oats and Perpetual Loyal were joined by CEX Dolce who quit with a broken mast; St Jude with a broken rudder and Koa with steering damage.

-AAP