LawConnect has made it out of the Heads first in a close and dramatic start to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day.
Rival supermaxi yachts SHK Scallywag and Andoo Comanche followed in that order as light winds made for a challenging beginning to the 628-nautical mile bluewater classic.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Protest flag thrown at start of race.
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Drama unfolded when Comanche flew a protest flag, accusing Scallywag of tacking too close to her as the pair made their way out.
If Comanche follows through with the protest, Scallywag will need to complete a 720 penalty turn or risk being disqualified from a line honours win on arrival in Hobart.
Olympic silver medallist Lisa Darmanin, who is commentating for Channel 7 on board Comanche, feared they were going to crash into Scallywag.
“What happened was as we were approaching Scallywag, they weren’t tacking … I thought we were going to go straight into them,” she said.
Sailing Master Ian Murray was furious with the incident.
“It’s a classic port and starboard tacking too close … 100 footers you can’t do that,” he told Channel 7.
After scattered showers cleared just before the 1pm starting gun, LawConnect was the fastest on her way.
But when she had an issue furling a sail just after the first marker out of the Heads, she turned towards the spectator fleet and fell behind Scallywag and Comanche.
LawConnect made the best of a change in the wind to begin the journey down the NSW coast in the lead.
Two-hander Currawong, the equal smallest boat in the fleet at 9.1m long, was last out of the Heads.
– With 7NEWS.com.au
