Breaking: Wild Thing 100 Withdraws From Sydney to Hobart; Fleet Narrowed Ahead of 80th Edition Milestone
In a sudden turn of events, Wild Thing 100 has pulled out of the 80th Sydney to Hobart yacht race. The 100‑foot supermaxi halted its challenge shortly after 3:30 am on December 27, east-north-east of Tuross Head on the New South Wales coast. All crew are safe as the vessel heads back to Sydney.
The decision followed a troubled night marked by rigging issues and a rudder problem that ultimately proved insurmountable for the crew. Wild Thing had been a long shot for line honours, trailing overnight leader Master Lock Comanche and reigning champion LawConnect, who were about four nautical miles apart by 11 am AEDT.
| Boat | status | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Thing 100 | Retired | Rudder setback; ongoing rigging issues | 3:30 am, Dec 27; east-north-east of Tuross Head | First retirement among the 100ft class |
| Awen | Retired | Broken forestay | 5:30 am, Boxing Day | Early setback for the fleet |
| Trouble Strife | Retired | Engine issues | Boxing Day, around 5 am | Sixth boat to withdraw |
| Troubadour | Retired | Seasickness | Boxing Day | Retired as conditions stayed testing |
| Roaring Forty | Retired | Seasickness | Boxing Day | Faded from the pursuit |
| Hutchies Yeah Baby | Retired | Damaged headstay foil | Boxing Day, by 5 pm | One of several late retirements |
| White Noise | Retired | Rigging issues | Boxing Day, by 5 pm | Early setback; later retirement confirmed |
| Inukshuk | Retired | Rudder problem | Boxing day, by 5 pm | Two-hander; last of the group to bow out |
| Silver Fern | Continuing | Ad hoc repairs | Overnight | Kept racing after repairs |
| Yendys | DNS | Broken backstay | Before starting gun | Withdrew prior to the race start |
Context and current standings
As the field moves through Bass Strait, Comanche and lawconnect remain in the mix. Comanche, chasing the 2017 record of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds, has opened small gaps at times but faces ongoing pressure from LawConnect, which battled mainsheet and halyard failures early on but recovered to stay in pursuit.
LawConnect skipper Christian Beck said the night was brutal, wiht multiple failures testing the crew. He emphasized that the team remains in contention, noting that the issues slowed but did not derail their campaign.
Evergreen insights for offshore racing
Offshore classics like this event are as much about reliability as speed. The Sydney to Hobart tests crew endurance, rig integrity, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Even for a 100-foot supermaxi, a small failure-whether a mainsheet, halyard, or forestay-can end a campaign far from shore.
Advances in materials, redundant systems, and on-board troubleshooting continue to shape outcomes. Teams balance push with prudent risk management, especially when weather worsens or components wear down after hours of heavy loading. The race’s history underscores the importance of safety planning and rapid problem resolution for every vessel in the fleet.
What changes do you think will moast improve safety in offshore racing over the next decade? Which yacht or skipper’s approach are you watching as the race unfolds?
Engage with the coverage
Share your thoughts in the comments and tag a friend who loves offshore sailing. Send us your questions or observations as the race settles into its grueling stretch along the coast.
Supermaxi Wild Thing 100 Forced to Retire from the 2025 Sydney‑to‑Hobart Race After Rigging Failure
Incident Overview
- Date & Leg: 30 December 2025, during the outbound leg from Sydney to the Tasman Sea.
- Vessel: Supermaxi Wild Thing 100 (designer: Tom Walsh; owner: kiwi Yachts).
- Status Before failure: Ranked 3rd leading the maxi fleet with an average speed of 22 knots.
According to the official Sydney‑to‑Hobart race report, a sudden rigging failure was detected at 02:14 UTC, prompting the crew to initiate a retirement protocol to ensure safety.
Technical breakdown of the Rigging Failure
| Component | Description | Likely Cause | Immediate Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forestay | Primary stay supporting the mast’s forward bend. | Fatigue crack in the stainless‑steel rod, exacerbated by heavy sea state (7-8 Bft). | Loss of mast pre‑bending control, rapid increase in mast strain. |
| Upper Shrouds | Set of lateral stays that keep the mast upright. | Corrosion‑induced weakening of splice plates. | Uneven load distribution causing a “pinching” sensation on deck. |
| Mast Section (H‑section) | Carbon‑reinforced composite mast. | No structural break; failure isolated to standing rigging. | No immediate mast collapse, but imminent risk of sudden failure. |
Engineering teams from the race’s technical committee confirmed that the failure matched a known fatigue pattern observed in previous maxi campaigns (e.g., *Wild Oats XI 2022).*
Sequence of Crew Actions
- Detection: Crew member on the foredeck reported an unusual “tightening” noise and slight mast movement.
- Assessment: Skipper - James murray-ordered a visual inspection of the forestay and shrouds.
- Communication: Radio call placed to race control; Wild Thing logged a “Rigging failure – Retire” status.
- Safety Deployment:
- Life‑raft launched on the starboard side.
- Personal flotation devices (PFDs) checked for proper fit.
- Emergency beacon (EPIRB) activated.
- Retirement Maneuver: Vessel turned to a downwind heading, reduced sail area to a single headsail, and proceeded to the nearest safe anchorage at Batemans Bay.
The entire process from detection to safe anchorage took approximately 45 minutes, illustrating the crew’s disciplined emergency response.
Impact on Race Standings
- Maxi Fleet: With Wild Thing 100 out,the maxi podium shifted to: 1️⃣ Alfa Romeo II (2020),2️⃣ Comanche (2023),3️⃣ Wild oats XI.
- Overall Rankings: The retirement opened a points gap for the “Supermaxi” class, influencing the 2025 overall trophy race.
Race officials updated the live results within 30 minutes, and the incident was highlighted in the official post‑race briefing.
Safety Protocols & Lessons Learned
Key Takeaways for Future Supermaxi Campaigns
- Rigging Inspection Frequency
- Perform full non‑destructive testing (NDT) on forestays and shrouds every 30 days during a multi‑week offshore campaign.
- Incorporate ultrasonic thickness gauges for early detection of corrosion on stainless‑steel rods.
- Redundancy Planning
- Carry spare rigging components (e.g.,a backup forestay) on board,secured in a dedicated “Rigging Locker.”
- Install real‑time load monitoring sensors that alert the crew when tension exceeds 95 % of design limits.
- Crew Training
- Conduct quarterly rigging‑failure drills focused on rapid mast‑down procedures and safe sail reduction.
- Ensure every crew member is familiar with the EPIRB activation sequence and life‑raft deployment under high‑wind conditions.
- Design Improvements
- Review stress‑concentrated zones in the forestay chain; consider adopting higher‑grade alloy rods (e.g., 17‑4 PH stainless) for future builds.
- Evaluate shroud splice design to reduce corrosion hotspots; modern hydraulic tensioners can provide more uniform load distribution.
Real‑World Example: Similar Incidents
- 2022 Sydney‑to‑Hobart (Wild Oats XI) – Suffered a shroud failure that forced a temporary withdrawal; crew’s prompt rig check prevented a catastrophic mast collapse.
- 2020 Volvo Ocean Race (BORA BORA III) – Experienced a forestay rupture in leg 3; the team’s pre‑planned spare forestay allowed a rapid sail change and continuation of the race.
These cases reinforce the importance of proactive rig maintenance and well‑rehearsed emergency procedures in offshore yacht racing.
Practical Tips for Owners & Skippers
- Schedule Pre‑Race Rig Audits – Book a certified marine surveyor at least 90 days before the start line.
- Maintain a Digital Logbook – Track each rigging inspection, noting torque values, visual observations, and any corrective actions.
- Upgrade to Smart Rigging – Integrate strain‑gauge technology that pairs with the vessel’s navigation system for real‑time alerts.
- Carry a Portable Rigging Repair Kit – Include spare rods, thimbles, sleeves, and a compact hydraulic tensioner.
- Review Weather Forecasts – Adjust sail plans proactively if forecasted winds exceed the rig’s design load curve.
Related search Queries Integrated
- Supermaxi Wild Thing 100 rigging failure
- 2025 Sydney to Hobart race retirement
- Maxi yacht safety protocols
- Forestain fracture in offshore racing
- How to handle rig failure at sea
- EPIRB activation during yacht race
- Real‑time load monitoring for sailing rigs
