Sydney to Hobart yacht race: late flurry of withdrawals as Covid and injuries hit crews

A late flurry of withdrawals from the Sydney to Hobart fleet has continued, with two boats pulling out on the morning of the race start.

Jiang Hui Lin, owner of the Two-Handed boat Min River, pulled her boat out after injuring a hand.

Protagonist also withdrew on Sunday morning after reporting a positive Covid-19 test. Two boats pulled out on Christmas Day.

The Volvo 70 Open boat Willow was withdrawn after three members of the crew returned a positive Covid test.

The fleet is now down to 89, with the boats set to sail out from the Sydney harbour at 1pm (AEDT).

Hearing the starting gun will be the sweetest sound for race officials and at least one prominent yachtsman, who was left devastated, shattered and hollow by the cancellation of the 2020 edition.

Maritimo skipper Michael Spies, who will compete in the race for a 44th time, said he had spent last Christmas moping at home after the race was cancelled for the first time in its history, which stretches back to 1945.

Noel Cornish, the commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, will also be happy and relieved once the fleet heads for Hobart.