Master Lock Comanche, LawConnect and other favourites took an early lead on Thursday in the 79th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. The supermaxis were leading the 104 yachts out into the South Pacific.

LawConnect, who won line honours in an exciting finish last year by only 51 seconds, was the first to pass the turning mark at 1 pm (0200 GMT) after cannons were sounded.

It soon encountered some sail problems, which gave Master Lock Comanche a surprising advantage.

Wild Thing 100, a second supermaxi, nearly capsized when it made a late turn to avoid the smaller Celestial V70.

The annual race, which covers approximately 630 nautical mile of the Tasman Sea as well as the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait is Australia's premier sailing event.

Forecasts were for a fast start in north-easterly winds of up to 20 knots before a trough strikes in the early hours of Friday, bringing strong-to-gale-force, south-westerly winds.

Friendly weather conditions could make it possible to break the record set by LDV Comanche last year, which was one day, nineteen hours, fifteen minutes, and twenty-four seconds.

When crossing the Bass Strait from the mainland to the island state, Tasmania, sailors will want to avoid bad weather.

A major storm that hit the fleet in 1998 resulted in the deaths of six sailors and the sinking of five yachts. Reporting by Stella Qiu, Editing by Peter Rutherford

(source: Reuters)