Two boats in the Launceston fleet have retired.  By Order of the Secretary (BOOTS) the Cavalier 37 owned by Launceston Race Director George Shaw and being skippered in this race by his son Trent has been dismasted and is motoring back towards the heads.  All are well on board with no injuries.

The Farr 1104 which is part owned and skippered by Heemskirk Consolidated Managing Director Kevin Robinson has rudder damage and has lost steering.  At this stage they have deployed their drogue and are motoring slowly.  They will assess their situation during the next half hour and the Police are on standby.

The Geelong based boats Shogun and Sea Eagle 1 continue to lead the race with Shogun some two nautical miles in front and expected into Tamar at approximately 10.30 am this morning.  The fleet is experiencing south westerlies at 20 knots.

The Hobart fleet continues to push south still being led by No Fearr but with Varta Spirit of Downunder only four miles behind and Icefire having moved through the pack during the night only one mile further back.

They are then followed by a pack of boats including Archie Elektra and Hasta La Vista.  The weather conditions have stayed steady with 25 knot south westerlies and a 1 to 2 metre swell.