Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race- YuuZoo sailing in minefields

by Bruce Montgomery/Rolex Sydney Hobart on 28 Dec 2009
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race update from YuuZoo.

Ludde Ingvall, the former Finnish round the world sailor who gave away maxi yacht racing to run an equestrian business in NSW, has had a frustrating 24 hours searching for horsepower in Bass Strait as they chase the line honours leaders in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Sailing his revamped 90-foot YuuZoo, the formerly named Nicorette won line honours under Ingvall’s guidance in the 2004 race; his second line honours win.

This afternoon, Ingvall is frustrated. Sailing east of Flinders Island he’s eighth on line in the 95-strong fleet, and 120 nautical miles behind current race leader, Neville Crichton’s 100 foot supermaxi Alfa Romeo. YuuZoo just keeps falling into windless holes.

'We are sailing in minefields,' he said. 'We seem to find all of them. We sat still for a couple of hours, we saw Investec LOYAL, Ran, Ichi Ban and Lahana just sail past us and away from us!'

Ingvall’s frustration is compounded by having blown out one of his largest jib headsails. It split in two and is irreparable. Now he is left with a lighter maxi than the leading trio, but is too underpowered to make any impression on them.

Meanwhile, boat crews in YuuZoo’s vicinity saw his dilemma as they sailed around him, not sure if they will find themselves in the same situation, as many have already done.

Fleet positions are available via Yacht Tracker at: www.rolexsydneyhobart.com