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Alfa Romeo continues to lead Posted: Friday December 27, 2002 10:11 AMSYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- New Zealand maxi Alfa Romeo extended its lead to more than 16 nautical miles in the annual Sydney to Hobart race as the leading yachts were more than halfway across Bass Strait late Friday. All but two of the 57 starters are still in the race, with no further reports of retirements since Trumpcard and Valheru withdrew within the first hour on Thursday after collisions. Grundig and British entry Canon Leopard were dueling for second place with Australian Skandia Wild Thing a further 10 miles astern of Alfa Romeo, which was originally called Shockwave. The four leaders were all sailing well east of the direct line between Sydney and Tasman Island on the southeast tip of Tasmania where the yachts turn right to head for the Derwent River mouth and into Hobart. Nicorette and Brindabella, which gambled on a more direct line and had picked up ground during the afternoon, were fifth and sixth and dropped back after temporarily losing wind. Computer projections indicate that because of light winds, the leading yachts would not reach Constitution Dock at Hobart until late Saturday evening. That finish would be well outside the race record of 1 day, 19 hours, 48 minutes and 2 seconds that was set in 1999 by Danish 60-footer Nokia. "We're making the most of light winds," Alpha Romeo navigator Murray Spence said. "It's better than being banged around." Nicorette was forced to slow down Friday morning after an injury to a crewmember. Bowman Mitch White, on board the Swedish maxi, hit his head on the mast and required three stitches for a head wound. The race from Sydney to Hobart on the island state of Tasmania covers 630 nautical miles. Trumpcard retired after damage suffered in a collision with the bigger Loki. Later, Valheru was forced to turn back following damage sustained in a collision with Peugeot Racing. Crew members of both Valheru and Trumpcard fell overboard as a result of their respective collisions, but each was quickly picked up. Peugeot Racing, a French-Australian entry, could face disqualification over the collision. Race committee chairman Tim Cox said Friday that Valheru's crew had protested against Peugeot Racing after it was forced to retire. The bigger Peugeot Racing was in the wrong and publicly acknowledged its fault by doing a "720" -- a double turn. Rules allow for a 720-degree turn as a self-imposed penalty. But Valheru's protest is partly based on another rule -- that if a yacht causes serious damage it should retire. A similar protest has been lodged by Trumpcard against Loki. Cox said the protests would be heard by a five-person international jury after Peugeot Racing and Loki reached Hobart. |
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