The Quest for the Tattersalls Cup

9:44 PM Sat 27 Dec 2008 GMT

'Bob Steel’s Quest riding high' &copy Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi Click Here to view large photo

Now the real fun begins. As we predicted, the easing conditions slowed the leaders in the Rolex Sydney Hobart race. The race record is safe with leader; Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI near Cape Raoul and expected to be at least 15 miles short of the finish line in Hobart as the clock ticks past the record time.

She is tracking towards a historic fourth line honours victory in a row, ahead of Grant Wharington's Skandia, now 10 miles back.

Attention is turning to the sailor's race, the battle for the overall handicap victory, the Tattersalls Cup.

At this business end of the race, its all about timing and the boat that gets the best run from Tasman Light.

A few minutes ago, it was blowing 23 knots from the north north west with gusts to 33 knots and as the day continues winds will strengthen up the river.

Bob Steel's TP52 Quest, the current overall handicap leader looks to be perfectly placed. At last confirmed report, she was 90 minutes from the Tasman Light corner and as the breeze builds during the day, her arrival seems perfectly timed.

Steel won the 2002 race with his Nelson Marek 46 and is certainly in the box seat again.

The tracking data from the lead handicap group needs to be treated with caution, both Quest and Alan Whiteley's Cougar II positions are extrapolated, not verified at the moment.

Behind them Geoff Ross Yendys and Syd Fischer's TP52 Ragamuffin are in the same group.

More soon.

by Rob Kothe

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