Unique weather conditions have meant some crucial tactical decisions in the Melbourne to Hobart yacht race.
The fields for the Melbourne-Hobart and Melbourne-Devonport races started on Monday afternoon off Portsea.
Modelling suggested the best route for the Hobart field would be west of King Island, which would add about 25 nautical miles.
“We are intrigued to see the tactics, particularly in the Westcoaster, play out over the next eight hours,” said race director Jeremy Walton said after the start.
Alex-Team Macadie, Vagabond, Blue Water Track and Faster Forward were among the race leaders heading west.
Lord Jiminy, which took line honours in the Melbourne to Hobart two years ago, had a delayed start and trailed the field by half an hour.
But it was making up ground quickly on the race south.
Gusto Solo was leading the Melbourne to Devonport field as the whole fleet in that race tracked west.
The first yacht is expected at Devonport by early on Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the two protests that will determine line honours in the Cock Of The Bay race will not be decided for about a week.
Original Sin crossed the line first in the Melbourne to Blairgowrie race on Boxing Day, narrowly beating Rush.
But the two yachts have lodged protests against each other.
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