HOBART: Super maxi Wild Oats XI looked to be in strong shape to win the Sydney to Hobart race for the fifth time in six years, leading the fleet into Bass Strait en route to the island state of Tasmania. Investec Loyal and Wild Thing, two other maxis, were in second and third place, respectively, about 20 nautical miles behind. The yachts left Sydney Harbour Sunday in the 628-nautical-mile (1,163-kilometer) race which is being held for the 66th time. Two men who were knocked overboard late Sunday on a race yacht were rescued within 10 minutes. One entry, Jazz Player, withdrew with a torn mainsail Sunday, while 12 yachts withdrew Monday due to strong winds or equipment failure. More than 32 hours into the race, Wild Oats XI, skippered by Mark Richards, had completed more than half the distance to Hobart's Constitution Dock and is expected to arrive late Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Wild Oats XI holds the race record of 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes, set in 2005. The yacht's navigator, Adrienne Cahalan, said the seas had been “violent and awful” Monday. A crew member was injured on the Australian yacht She. Race officials said Colin Apps was seasick and fell, sustaining a head injury. A police boat was sent out to the yacht off the New South Wales south coast to pick up Apps and transfer him to shore to hospital, where he was in satisfactory condition. Two crew members of former line honors winner YuuZoo fell overboard on Sunday during a gust of wind and heavy rain. The yacht, which had damage to its headsail, was one of those which withdrew Monday. Greg Homann and Will Mueller spent more than 10 minutes bobbing in the waves before owner-skipper Ludde Ingvall turned the 90-foot maxi around and rescued them. Other yachts to withdraw included Swish with a failed radio, Southern Excellence because of rig failure, Wot Eva due to engine problems and Shamrock with a damaged rudder.
