LawConnect Takes Early Lead in 80th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Amid Challenging Weather Conditions
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The 80th Sydney to Hobart yacht race has officially begun, with defending line honours champion LawConnect taking an early lead. The supermaxi, aiming to win for the third consecutive year, was the first to cross the turning mark after the starting cannons fired at 1 p.m. on Friday. This year's fleet of 129 boats, including six 100-foot supermaxis, is bracing for strong southerly winds and rough seas in the South Pacific. As the yachts sail south along Australia's east coast, they will pay tribute to the victims of the Bondi mass shooting nearly two weeks ago. Fifteen yachts will scatter rose petals off the stern of their boats in memory of the 15 people killed. LawConnect, which won last year's race in an impressive 1 day, 13 hours, 35 minutes and 13 seconds, will be looking to repeat its success. The yacht's crew includes five-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Ian Thorpe. The gruelling 630-nautical-mile race takes yachts across the treacherous Bass Strait and on to the finish in Hobart, Tasmania. The weather forecast is expected to be challenging, with strong winds and swells reaching up to 4m. However, conditions are expected to ease slightly along the New South Wales and Tasmanian coasts at the weekend.
