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An eventful start to Rolex Sydney Hobart 2017

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The legendary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, recognised as one of the toughest races in Sydney, kicked off today. The 73rd edition of the regatta kicked off with an official protest in the opening minutes of the event and a change in the fleet leader over the next few hours.

A total of 102 of the 110 crews entered the 628-mile event, including Weddell on the Grand Mistral 80 of Athanasius Isayev of Krasnoyarsk and Wild Oats XI on his maxi yacht, which was struck by lightning a week before the event began.

LDV Comanche and Wild Oats XI were the favourites to win the regatta in the first 15 minutes of the event and almost collided.

«The white boat was late in maneuvering and forced the crew, reinforced this year by two-time America's Cup winner» Jimmy Spithill, to change course.

Comanche immediately lodged an official protest against the competitor's actions. Upon arrival in Hobart, the Wild Oats XI team faces a review of the extent of their fault in this situation as well, which threatens to result in a fine.

Taking advantage of the situation, the Black Jack crew, formerly known as Alfa Romeo, quickly claimed first position, took the fleet out of Sydney Harbour and led the regatta for several hours.

However, already at Bermaga level, the leadership was taken over by the Comanche crew, who are still ahead, keeping their opponents 10-15 miles behind them.

Wild Oats XI has steadily taken the second position. Rounding out the top four, consistently imposing a tight battle for third place on the Black Jack boat, is last season's winner and current race record holder InfoTrack.

Last year InfoTrack, then called Perpetual Loyal, set the regatta record with 1 day, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 20 seconds to go.

Despite the positive predictions of the experts, the likelihood that this time some of the participants will be able to improve that time is already unlikely. Too weak winds accompanied the boats at the initial stage of the race.

The weather forecasters are predicting 20-25 knots for the yachtsmen tomorrow, but on the approach to the coveted Hobart they are likely to face a windy pit.

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