Outimage Publications - Close up and personal - 17:30 AEDT December 28, 2008.

The outimage dot net ocean yacht racing banner is an image of Roger Sturgeon's Transpac 65 Rosbud from the United States, working up Hobart's Derwent River into the late afternoon to take out an overall win of the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The photograph was taken by Peter Andrews.

Close up and personal

Rolex Sydney Hobart - News Update
17:30 AEDT December 28, 2008

Article By Bruce Montgomery - Rolex Sydney Hobart Media Team

December 28, 2008.

Nearly half the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race fleet, more than 40 boats, are locked in battle this evening, east of Flinders Island, a long way out to sea and battening down the hatches as strong winds continue.

A strong wind warning is current for their field of play, up to 85 miles off the island coast. The forecast until midnight is for north-west winds 15 to 25 knots, reaching 30 knots at times, tending westerly at 15 to 25 knots this evening, with two to three metre seas.

Peter Harburg's Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack, crossing the Hobart finishing line in the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2008.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Peter Harburg's Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack, crossing the Hobart finishing line in the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2008. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

Tomorrow’s forecast for the length of the Tasmanian east coast is for westerly winds 15 to 25 knots, again reaching 30 knots at times.

The second half of the fleet are grouped like a swarm of bees on the Yacht Tracker website, making between six and 10 knots, a network of private competitions. Most will reach Hobart on Tuesday.

Geoff Boettcher’s Reichel Pugh 47 Secret Mens Business 3 from Adelaide pictured, during the Rolex Trophy Ratings Series.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Geoff Boettcher's Reichel Pugh 47 Secret Mens Business 3 from Adelaide pictured, during the Rolex Trophy Ratings Series. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

On boats like Flying Fish Arctos ingenuity is the order of the day as gear begins to take punishment. They broke both spinnaker poles yesterday and today and have spent fruitful hours refashioning makeshift replacements from jockey poles, which are usually employed keeping spinnaker sheets clear of the shrouds that support the mast on each side of the boat.

Flying Fish Arctos is the flagship yacht in the Flying Fish offshore training fleet and has a crew of Australians, Europeans and Americans aboard.

The flagship yacht of the Flying Fish offshore training fleet, Flying Fish Arctos, offshore after the start of the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Geoff Boettcher’s Secret Mens Business 3 from Adelaide is the next yacht due across the Rolex Sydney Hobart finish line, due at 7.30pm this evening.

Thirteen yachts are now safely tucked up at Elizabeth St Pier with 84 still at sea.

To follow the fleet and for ETAs and updated handicap placings go to: www.rolexsydneyhobart.com

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