A retired and damaged Sydney to Hobart yacht has been towed by police to safety as a host of competitors cross the finish line after days at sea.
More than a dozen boats arrived at Hobart’s Constitution Dock on Friday night, with 56 still sailing at 8 a.m. (AEDT) on Saturday.
Tasmanian yacht Alive, which finished on Thursday, is expected to be crowned overall winner on handicap for the second time.
The fleet has battled squally and interchanging conditions as well as a storm on the first night of the race on Boxing Day.
A gale wind warning is in place for waters off Tasmania’s lower east and southeast coast when the majority of remaining competitors are placed.
Gunshot, a 52-footer skippered by NSW’s David Walsh, was towed by police on Friday night after earlier retiring due to mainsail damage.
The crew of 10 was heading to Cape Barren Island off the northeast coast of Tasmania when they asked for a tow because they could only sail at one knot.
Helsel 3 has diverted to Port Arthur in southern Tasmania to assess damage but remains racing.
There have been 16 retirements from the 103-strong starting fleet, with crews reporting broken equipment and seasickness.
Two-handed yacht Sylph VI, including skipper Bob Williams and his cat Oli, is bringing up the tail of the fleet and is not expected to arrive until the new year.
Supermaxi LawConnect claimed first-past-the-post line honours on Thursday morning in the second closest finish in Sydney to Hobart history.
She came from behind up the River Derwent in light winds to pip fellow 100-footer Andoo Comanche by just 51 seconds.
