Two boats out of Westcoast race

Two boats are on their way home after retiring due to damage from the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster. Alien reported mainsail damage and is returning to Williamstown, all crew safe and well, while Magazan 53 retired after its spreader went to pieces when it reefed in Bass Strait.

Magazan 53 has lodged a protest after a collision that took place during a chaotic start. The majority of boats crowded at one end of the line and many crews had to loop around to restart after being squeezed out.

The retirement will be a huge disappointment for Magazan skipper, Nicholas McGuigan, who was competing in his tenth Westcoaster but is now back with his crew at Queenscliff Yacht Club.

Race director Don Fraser said it was strange that so many boats had decided not to take advantage of the length of the start line down towards Portsea pier.

“As someone on the start boat said, ‘it looked like a Wednesday night twilight event,’ – rather clumsy, ” he said.

The M2L fleet was lead out through the heads by Gusto, who looks on target in its bid to achieve a line honours trifecta after winning the M2H Eastcoaster and Westcoaster in 2010 and 2011. Goldfinger and Bandit were the next through – one boat from each fleet in the leading trio.

The wind died down substantially to make for a tough start, at times only reaching two to three knots. The forecasted strong winds then gradually built up, strengthening to around 20 knots at the rounding mark at Queenscliff to provide some breeze to pass into Bass Strait.

The crew of Magazan 43 experienced 30 knot winds before turning back from Bass Strait, and Gusto were reporting south westerlies up to 40 knots at the head of the fleet.

It’s looking like a bumpy night ahead.

Magazan 53 has taken its broken spreader back to Queenscliff Yacht Club

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