THE Southerly Buster which hit the Telstra Sydney Hobart fleet and wrought havoc with some of the leaders, moderated as darkness fell on the first night at sea, leaving the competitors gasping for a fresh breath of wind.
The breeze went into the east and was as fractious as an ailing infant, treating the 86 remaining competitors to almost lottery like conditions.
The giant 80 foot Morning Glory had been best able to deal with the fresh to frightening winds and after 13 hours was the clear leader of the fleet, 7 1/2 miles ahead of Exile. Hasso Plattner's maxirater had, however, taken her course more to the west of Warwick Miller's 66 footer and 12 hours later, the order at the front had changed.
Exile had picked up the light northeaster first and in the tricky conditions, her highly competent crew, led by Graeme Freeman, urged every ounce from a gossamer spinnaker to be shoulder to shoulder with the bigger Morning Glory. By mid afternoon, the breeze was up to 15 knots and inevitably Morning Glory began to go faster and Exile's delicate lead was threatened.
The 68 foot Foxtel Amazon was five miles behind in third place with lain Murray and the 60 foot Sydney at fourth.
Leading the fleet on IMS handicap was Ray Roberts' Corel 45, BZW Challenge. The Bruce Farr designed 45 footer was close astern of the 47 foot Ausmaid of George Gjergja and these two hold a slight edge on the Murray designed 41 footer, Terra Firma, of Scott Carlisle and Dean Wilson, the handicap winner last year.
Leading the cruiser division, on the Performance Handicap System, is the 50 foot Bright Morning Star, owned and skippered by Hugh Treharne, the tactician of Australia II when she won the America's Cup.
The fleet was reduced to 86 as Jacobina of Senval withdrew with rigging problems. Eight yachts had dropped out on Thursday, most victims of 40 knot southerly squalls which dismasted line honours favourite Brindabella near Sydney.
