Big three duelling in Sydney to Hobart

Just a couple of nautical miles separated three of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race's
heavy hitters as the fleet headed south, but rival maxi Etihad Stadium was an early
casualty.

Close to five hours into the 628-nautical mile event, New Zealand's Alfa Romeo led
on Sunday evening from four-time and defending champion Wild Oats XI then Britain's
ICAP Leopard, battling to stay with the Australasian pair.
"It looks like they (Leopard) are starting to struggle a bit in the easing breeze,"
Alfa Romeo navigator Tom Addis said on Skype.
The three betting favourites established an early advantage as the fleet left Sydney
under 12 to 15-knot southerly breezes.
The fleet of 100 was quickly reduced to 97 with Etihad Stadium the earliest casualty
due to two mast-related issues.
The 39-foot Tasmanian boat She's The Culprit was forced out of the race shortly
after when she suffered damage at the first rounding mark after being hit twice.
She suffered damage to her railings and starboard and subsequently lodged a protest
against the other boat involved in the collisions.
The Farr 37 yacht Pippin became the third retiree after her diesel pump jammed.
Alfa Romeo won the sprint from the start out through Sydney Heads, just in front of
Wild Oats XI.
The line honours victor for the last four years, Wild Oats XI was beaten through the
heads for the first time in her five-year history in the race.
She got the early jump on Alfa Romeo, which suffered from a twisted sail in the
first 30 seconds of the race.
However, Alfa Romeo jumped to the lead and was first through the heads after Wild
Oats XI experienced a slight delay through sail issues of her own.
Wild Oats XI lowered her spinnaker too early following a breakdown in communications
between the afterguard and the foredeck.
The crew of Wild Oats XI was reduced to 17 after New Zealander Matthew Mason
withdrew at the last minute because of an unexpected America's Cup commitment.
Another boat to experience early drama was the star-studded crew of Investec LOYAL
who lost valuable time leaving the heads after breaking the sparcraft fitting and
tack of their No. jib.
Alfa Romeo and Wild Oats XI pushed to the east early on in pursuit of a more
favourable easterly breeze.
"We're hoping our move will get us to the new breeze much sooner than Leopard," Wild
Oats XI co-navigator Ian "Fresh" Burns said.
"If that does eventuate then we should regain everything we and Alfa Romeo have lost
to the Brits."
Etihad Stadium skipper and owner Grant Wharington was disappointed after his boat
was forced to retire so early following the events of the last two weeks when it
battled against the clock to transport and install a replacement mast from Europe.
"It's an amazing feat to get to where we've got, obviously it's disappointing to
miss out by the last little one or two per cent that made the difference being able
to compete and not," Wharington told reporters after returning to the Cruising Yacht
Club of Australia minutes after the start.
Ichi Ban navigator Conrad Humphreys reported just before 6pm AEST that his boat was
travelling in 25-knot southwesterly wind.
"I think the fleet will flip over onto port with the breeze expecting to back round
to the east," Humphreys said.