Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: Thunderstorms and a 180-degree wind shift during the night

While the thrilling duel between the 100-foot maxis "Andoo Comanche" and "LawConnect" continues at the front of the field in the battle for line honours, the crews battled their way south on day two of the legendary long haul.

"Moneypenny" leads the battle for the Tattersall Cup

The field of 103 starters had already shrunk to 92 boats the day after the start. In the IRC intermediate classification, around 30 hours after the starting signal on Boxing Day, Sean Langman's Reichel Pugh 69 "Moneypenny" with navigator and Ocean Race sailor Matt Humphries was initially in the lead in the battle for the coveted Tattersall Cup for overall victory.

The battle for third place in the line honours classification in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race could turn into a thriller. The crew on the RP72 "URM Group" is also fighting for it, having recently taken over third place from the RP66 "Alive" in terms of time sailed, but is also aware of the threat posed by the "Moneypenny" team.

No new track records in sight

The gruelling conditions have ensured that no new course records will be set in this edition of the Christmas classic. As the smaller boats are at a major disadvantage due to the light winds and will initially be travelling south along the coast, this edition could become a race for the big boats. They have a good chance of winning not only in terms of time sailed, but also in terms of calculated time.

Both "Andoo Comanche" and "LawConnect" are constantly travelling at more than 20 knots. Only the light southerly or south-easterly winds that are expected before the start of the second night at sea could make the maxis' progress more difficult over the last 200 nautical miles.

Eleven tasks, "Rockall VIII" on course

Eleven of the 103 boats that started have already had to abandon the race. Among them is "SHK Scallywag 100" from Hong Kong, one of the original co-favourites. A broken bowsprit forced the ambitious team to turn back in disappointment just a few hours after the start. Families, friends and spectators eagerly awaiting the first arrivals in Hobart will have to wait a little longer than usual this year to celebrate the winners of the race and all those arriving in Tasmania.

Christopher Opielok's crew on the only German yacht "Rockall VIII" worked their way up to 21st place in the IRC interim ranking the day after Christmas. The JPK 10.80 with navigator Chris Frost, co-skipper Felix Oehme, Klaas Simon, Mark Lovelady, Stu Lee and Tom Swift was in 51st place after the time sailed. On Wednesday morning German time, the crew still had just under 450 nautical miles to go to the finish.

Click here for the tracker and the intermediate results.

Thrilling top duel, nasty conditions - the latest summary of events at sea: