Sydney to Hobart set for classic finish as fleet crosses Bass Strait

The Sydney to Hobart is shaping up for a thrilling finish, with a duel between perennial performer Wild Oats XI and last year's winner Comanche the headline act and two other super maxis also in the hunt as the leading yachts cross the Bass Strait.

Fellow Australian super maxis InfoTrack and Black Jack are only just behind the leading duo, after Hong Kong entrant Sun Hung Kai Scallywag was forced to retire with a broken bowsprit only hours after the race started at 1pm on Wednesday.

Full sail: Comanche races south early on day two of the Sydney to Hobart.Credit:Rolex/Studio Borlenghi

The notoriously fickle Derwent River, which tends to be calm in the early morning when the super maxis are likely to arrive, may once again decide this year's race.

About 30 nautical miles seperated the pack of super maxis from the rest of the fleet.

In the race for overall honours, last year's winner Ichi Ban had fallen off the pace at 10.30am on Thursday.

The TP52, skippered by Australian Sailing president Matt Allen, was in 19th on handicap.

American interloper Privateer was among the leaders on handicap, but local NSW yacht Patrice led the pack.

Including Scallywag, four yachts have pulled out of the race after sustaining damage.

Zen, owned by electrical industry entrepeneur Gordon Ketelby, retired with rig damage, which also claimed M3 Team Hungary.

The Hungarian hopeful pulled into shore at Ulladulla on the NSW south coast.

Patriot, from Victoria, was forced out after suffering rudder issues.

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