Tough day at sea for Michael Spies

• NEWS
• 28 Dec, 2005 02:58:00 PM

Tough day at sea for Michael Spies

It’s been a tough day for Sydney yachtsman Michael Spies, a past line and handicap winner and record-breaking skipper in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

It’s been a tough day for Sydney yachtsman Michael Spies, a past line and handicap winner and record-breaking skipper in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Firstly, he heard the news that Wild Oats XI had crossed the finish line just after 08:00 this morning to smash the race record he set as co-skipper of the Volvo 60, Nokia, in the 1999 race.

Then, at 09:25 he advised race control that rigging problems had forced him to retire from this year’s race with his Beneteau 44.7. Sirromet Life Style Wine.  The reason given was rigging problems

German entry Conergy retired on the first day of the race because of a radio problem.

Currently there are 80 boats still racing, with Grant Wharington’s Skandia finishing a short time ago to take third place for line honours behind Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI and Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo. 

Skandia’s elapsed time for the race is 2 days 00 hours 25 minutes 57 seconds.  The 30m yacht’s engine is not operating and she is being towed to her berth at Constitution Dock.