Sydney to Hobart yacht race: Black Jack leads in battle for line honours as 21 boats retire

Supermaxi Black Jack leads a Sydney-Hobart fleet that has been reduced by almost a quarter of its original size, with 21 boats retiring.

By 6am, 21 of the original 88 starters were no longer racing and the other 67 were hoping for less taxing conditions, after being battered by heavy southerlies through the latter part of Sunday.

By the time Boxing Day on the Australian east coast had finished, 18 boats were out of the race and three more joined the list in the early hours of Monday morning.

Sydney boats Oz Design Patrice Six and Philosopher withdrew due to engine issues and internal damage respectively. Queensland 39-foot yacht Huntress also advised organisers she had retired, but it was not immediately clear why she had pulled out.

While the three supermaxis remained in the race, the big list of casualties on Sunday included the TP52 Gweilo, which was considered one of the main contenders to win overall honours.

The 64-foot Sydney-based boat Khaleesi was leading the overall standing from the 34-foot White Bay 6 Azzurro, which before the race was considered one of the small boats most likely to challenge for the main handicap prize.