Collisions knock two yachts out of race soon after start

• NEWS
• 26 Dec, 2002 03:29:00 PM

Collisions knock two yachts out of race soon after start

Collisions knocked two yachts out of the fleet within the first hour of the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from Sydney Harbour this afternoon, with a crew member being knocked overboard from each boat.

Collisions knocked two yachts out of the fleet within the first hour of the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from Sydney Harbour this afternoon, with a crew member being knocked overboard from each boat.

The Tasmanian yacht Valheru,  skippered by Tony Lyall,  suffered extensive hull damage in a resounding collision with the French Australian entry,  Peugeot Racing as they crossed tacks just outside the Heads.

The hull of Valheru has been sliced open on the port side,  a gaping hole through which can be seen the galley lockers.

Crew member Peter Fletcher was thrown into the sea,  but was picked quickly up by an Australian Yachting Federation inflatable dinghy and put back on the yacht.

The collision apparently happened as Peugeot Racing attempted to bear away astern of Valheru and the mainsheet jammed.  Peugeot Racing was not extensively damaged and continued racing after taking a penalty turn as the boat at fault.

The only Queensland yacht in the race, Trump Card, skippered by Craig Coulson from Brisbane,  also retired after being holed in the stern by the Sydney yacht Loki at the start in pouring rain and 50 metre visibility.

Crew member Richard Cole was knocked through the rails and dragged for 50 metres with his head in the water.

Meanwhile,  the race favourite Alpha Romeo is leading the fleet down the coast followed by the British entrant, Canon,  Nicorette, Grundig, Brindabella and Merit,  sailing in a 16 knot south-easter and lumpy 2 to 3 metres seas.