Yachting: Wild Oats takes lead

SYDNEY - Wild Oats XI started to assert itself against rival super maxi Alfa Romeo this morning, after light overnight winds frustrated the Sydney to Hobart yacht fleet and dented prospects of a new race record.

The leading boats entered Bass Strait this morning, but their progress was initially slowed by a lack of breeze.

New Zealand boat Alfa Romeo and Australian rival Wild Oats XI continued to set the pace, with a third super maxi, Skandia, the closest challenger.

As the morning progressed and the wind picked up, the two pacesetters pulled well clear of Skandia and fourth placed AAPT.

Wild Oats XI surged into an 11 nautical mile lead over Alfa Romeo as it picked up speed to around 17 knots in the westerly breeze.

Last night, the first three boats were all on schedule to beat Nokia's 1999 race record of one day 19 hours 48 minutes two seconds. They fell behind the pace during the night, as they waited in vain for the more favourable northeasterly breezes which had been forecast.

While the leaders in Bass Strait picked up more breeze after daybreak, it was a slow slog for the smaller boats farther back.

A crew member aboard Victorian 31 footer Toecutter ruefully reported there was more current than breeze, as his boat, and many others, loitered on the NSW south coast in search of more wind.

Wild Oats XI was also heading the battle for overall victory, though the mid-sized boats were starting to make their presence felt. Also among the frontrunners for handicap honours were a gaggle of 46 to 50 footers including Living Doll, Hardys Secret Mens Business, Chieftain, Heaven Can Wait and Quantum Racing.

German boat Conergy was the first of the 85 starters to retire from the race this morning due to rudder and radio problems. The 45 footer has taken water in its stern gland and is returning to Sydney.

- AAP