LOOK: Dramatic scenes in Sydney to Hobart sailing race

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Monaco Yacht Club super maxi Black Jack held a 18-nautical-mile lead over fellow maxi SHK Scallywag on Monday in a Sydney to Hobart race hit hard by retirements of nearly half the fleet due to heavy seas. Image Credit: AFP

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More than 24 hours into the annual race from Sydney Harbor to Hobart on the island state of Tasmania, Black Jack was estimated to finish the race by Tuesday evening based on current weather conditions. Image Credit: AFP

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It was plain sailing as the fleet left Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day before they hit rough seas. Image Credit: AFP

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Stefan Racing was in third place and the race’s third super-maxi, LawConnect, was in fourth. Image Credit: AFP

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There were only 42 boats remaining in the race from the original start list after the high seas and winds decimated the fleet overnight on Sunday. A total of 28 yachts had retired since the race began. Image Credit: AFP

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Sailors returning to Sydney said it was heavy seas that caused most of the problems rather the southerly winds they were pushing into. Image Credit: AFP

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“The breeze was 33, 34 knots, which is not that bad,” said No Limit crew member Declan Brennan, whose boat retired after one of the crew sustained a dislocated shoulder. Image Credit: AFP

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“It’s curious, it wasn’t angry conditions it was a just a very short, sharp seaway. The seaway was so inconsistent we were just bouncing around all over the place.” Image Credit: AFP

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There were no other reports of injuries to crew members on other boats. Image Credit: AFP

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Last year’s race was cancelled the week before it was due to start because of coronavirus-related quarantine issues, but the 2021 edition is proceeding with mass virus-testing protocols in place. Image Credit: AFP

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Skippers have been told boats must immediately retire from the race if a crew member receives a message from health authorities saying they have tested positive for Covid-19. Image Credit: AFP

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The 628 nautical mile race sails from Sydney down the south coast of New South Wales state and across to Hobart. Image Credit: AFP

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In 2017, Comanche set the race record after finishing in 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds. Image Credit: AFP

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LOOK: Dramatic scenes in Sydney to Hobart sailing race

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LOOK: Dramatic scenes in Sydney to Hobart sailing race

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