Quest set to take Sydney-Hobart honours

THE painful part of this year’s easy Sydney to Hobart race has come. A controversial starting line collision will be arbitrated today, and time is running out for yachts seeking the prestigious handicap victory.

Hobart’s traditional race-inspired party kicked off on Saturday night when Alfa Romeo took line honours and sailors began gathering in bars and boats to drink to one of the softest races in decades. Gentle seas and breezes persisted over much of the course yesterday.

The weather was in contrast to a squall-shrouded start in which the Tasmanian yacht Valheru was badly holed and a crewman thrown overboard in a collision with French yacht Peugeot Racing.