Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race off to dramatic start as teams threatened by thunderstorms, hail, gale-force winds

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race has kicked off to a thrilling start, with two of the biggest contenders almost colliding at the start and warnings of rough weather throughout the race.

The race took a dramatic turn when defending champion Andoo Comanche, the race favourite, flew a protest flag alleging SHK Scallywag had tacked too close as the pair exited Sydney Harbour.

Scallywag subsequently performed a 720 penalty turn to exonerate the vessel from facing a potential disqualification from securing a line honours victory upon reaching Hobart.

After reaching the Heads, LawConnect’s crew had difficulties furling a sail, forcing it to jibe away. Comanche is currently in the lead.

Supermax LawConnect was the first vessel to reach the first mark.

The race tracks the eastern coast of Australia southward from Sydney, crossing the Bass Strait, before continuing along the eastern coast of Tasmania and finally reaching Hobart.

Widely considered one of the most challenging yacht races in the world, teams competing in this year’s event — the 78th edition — also risk facing thunderstorms, hail and gale-force winds through the race.

The Bureau of Meteorology, whose representatives briefed the competitors ahead of the race, said there was a high degree of uncertainty for the forecasts over coming days.

“A trough and low pressure system over eastern Australia is slowly moving to the southeast and will reach the Tasman Sea later today or tomorrow,” a bureau spokesperson said.

“Uncertainty remains about its exact placement. Weather, wind and wave forecasts will depend on the location of this system.”

At the start of the race, competitors were set for light easterly winds, the bureau said, with the chance of a shower or thunderstorm.

“Thunderstorm potential increases during the afternoon along the NSW coast and over Sydney – with very erratic winds, hail, lightning and heavy rain reducing visibility possible,” the bureau said.

“Strong wind warnings are likely during the race, and there is a slight risk of local gale-force winds over the Bass Strait on Tuesday night.”

“Rain and thunderstorms are forecast throughout the race, mainly along the NSW coast and across Bass Strait, but are likely to be more active and more widespread on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“These can reduce visibility, produce lightning, erratic winds and possibly even some hail.”

With the Bass Strait crossing often the hardest part of the race, teams can expect a larger southwest swell and strong winds.

“This year there is easterly winds and easterly swell forecast, as well as thunderstorms, which will make conditions challenging on Tuesday and Wednesday. These conditions are forecast to ease from later Wednesday,” the bureau said.

Some 113 vessels will be competing in this year’s event.

The record for the race was set in 2017 by LDV Comanche, a 100ft maxi yacht, which completed the event in just over 33 hours.