In a blow for the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC), one of its representatives – Mako – was forced to retire early from the prestigious Sydney to Hobart race.

It comes as more than 20% of the fleet experienced a similar result within the first 10 hours of the Boxing Day spectacular.

By 11pm (AEDT), the starting flotilla of 88 had been reduced to 70.

It is understood the crew of Mako was dealt a torn mainsail, ending their 2021 campaign.

At the time of going to print, the NCYC’s other hopes – She’s The Culprit and Wonderland – were still in the mix.

While the weather forecast suggested the fleet could expect strong southerlies on Sunday evening, no-one anticipated the level of carnage, especially among the smaller boats.

The three supermaxis were still racing.

Monaco’s Black Jack was leading by six nautical miles from LawConnect, with the 80-foot Victorian boat Stefan Racing another five miles back, just ahead of the third supermaxi, Hong Kong’s SHK Scallywag 100.

However, one of the favourites for overall honours, the TP52 boat Gweilo, which finished second on handicap in 2019, was among the late evening casualties, withdrawing with a damaged forestay.

Also pulling out late on Sunday night were the 40-foot Ariel (mainsail damage), the Tasmanian Cookson 50 Oskana and South Australian vessel Enchantress (each with a broken forestay) and another TP52, Denali (hull damage).

EORA, which had been leading on line honours among the 18 starters in the new two-handed division, retired with a broken backstay.

Sydney 36 boat Salt Shaker took over in front.

The first retirements weren’t recorded until more than five hours into the race, but the number rose rapidly soon after with mainsail damage listed as the cause for many of the stricken yachts.

Among the first casualties was the 69-foot Moneypenny, owned by Sydney sailing identity Sean Langman, who was contesting his 30th Hobart race.

It pulled out with a broken headstay.

Another early victim was Blink, the 40-foot Sydney boat named after an episode of the television show Doctor Who, which retired with a torn mainsail.

The same problem forced the retirement of the 72-foot URM, the two-handed Hip-Nautic and several smaller vessels, including the 40-foot Mako, 43-foot Minerva and Sydney 38s Mille Sabords and TSA Management.

The 40-foot Nautical Circle cited rigging issues while Victorian boat White Noise pulled out with window damage and the TP52 Zen reported a minor injury.

The 63-foot No Limit was returning to Sydney, but no reason for her retirement was known.

LawConnect held front position for most of the day after SHK Scallywag 100 was the first boat out of Sydney heads.

She soon surrendered the lead to LawConnect after suffering a technical issue with her J2 foresail tack fitting.

• With AAP

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