Joy Riding Down the Australian Coast

The PNW’s Sydney Hobart hopeful Joy Ride appears to be having a solid race. According to the tracker John Murkowski’s J/122E is lying 11th in ORCi Division 4 and IRC Division 3. She’s 60th overall for line honors.

The Sydney Hobart three start line system allows the big boats to get away cleanly. A massive fleet of spectator boats (“the most I’ve ever seen” according to Jimmy Spithill) was on hand.

The ORC class leader is the Cookson 12 Grace O’Malley (sistership to the Northwest’s White Cloud). Jackpot, a near sisterhip J/122 to Joy Ride, is a mile or so behind Joy Ride.

Sailing’s definitely a spectator sport in Sydney.

Check out the Rolex Sydney Hobart website and tracker. The start coverage video is also captivating, with Jimmy Spihill doing some of the commentary. It’s easy to spend some hours checking out all the boats and current situation.

As predicted, it’s been a downwind race with the biggest northerlies coming during the day shortly after the start. In the evening the wind apparently dropped. It’s unclear whether the inshore or offshore route paid dividends.

WOXI had the most recent lead.

Of course most eyes are on the pointy end of the fleet. Black Jack led out of Sydney Heads, Comanche roared to a lead in the heavy running conditions and Wild Oats XI (“WOXI“) claimed the lead in the lighter nighttime winds. One of the elapsed time contenders, Scallywag, abandoned the race with a broken sprit.

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