| SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 6:51:00 PM LOCAL TIME-(26-12-2003) The 2003 Rolex Sydney Hobart Fleet might be one of the most high tech ever, but five hours into the first day it is one of Australian ocean racing classic yachts that leads the fleet on handicap.
Peter Kurts’ classic timber Sparkman and Stevens sloop Love and War is leading the IMS division, the group from which the eventual overall winner will be drawn.
Love and War is the oldest boats in the fleet, and has already won the race twice, in 1974 and 1978. At 79, Peter Kurts himself is one of the oldest skippers competing this year.
Behind Love and War on the IMS ladder is Yendys, Geoff Ross’ newly acquired Judel Vrolijk 52. Yendys was the outstanding European IMS boat of 2002, and since taking over the boat just three weeks ago Ross and his crew have already achieved outstanding results. They won six races in a row on their way to winning the IMS division of the Rolex Trophy Series, and entered the Hobart as one of the hot favourites.
Close on their tail, though, is Quest, last year’s winner, sailed by Bob Steel.
Another veteran yacht is performing well in the IRC division. In 1993 a blue hulled forty seven footer called Ninety Seven sailed through horrific weather to take line honours, and ten years later, and now known as Dysons Cobb & Co she lies fourth in her comeback race.
Quest currently leads the IRC division, followed by Loki and Ichi Ban, the Farr 52 that won IRC in the Rolex Trophy Series.
The decision to go well out to sea looking for wind has proven very costly for the supermaxis Skandia and Zana. They currently lie just 26th and 27th in the IRC placings.
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