Yachting: Crack of doom spelled end for Kiwi race leader

The sickening sound of a boat breaking is not one Wellington yachtsman Stewart Thwaites wants to hear again any time soon.

The owner of New Zealand's sole entry in the Sydney-to-Hobart race, Konica Minolta, Thwaites was forced to withdraw after the cabin top buckled in conditions similar to the disastrous 1998 race which claimed six lives.

The eerie crack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday as the yacht powered its way through torrential rain, driving hail and big seas.

Having passed through the notorious Bass Strait, regarded as one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the world, Konica Minolta was heading towards the east coast of Tasmania.

In boisterous seas, the 27-tonne yacht climbed to the top of a wave at least 10m high.

"Then there was that lonely five seconds while we waited to fall," helmsman Gavin Brady said after the race. " You hope for a soft landingbut ... "

The $6 million yacht smashed into the trough that followed, letting out a thunderous crack.

The sound was traced to the cabin top, which had creased near the mast and the keel tower. The crew tried to brace the cabin, but rough seas made it impossible to prevent further cracking which, if it spread, could have put the 30m yacht in a similar situation to 1995 America's Cup syndicate One Australia, which folded and sank off San Diego in just 90 seconds.

Three hours after the crack was heard, Thwaites retired from the race - a heartbreaking decision made even more difficult by the fact that the New Zealand boat had the race in the bag.

"To be that far in front, pulling out seemed a bit harsh at the time," Thwaites said. "But there was no way I was going to put anyone in danger."

Forecasters had predicted strong winds and big seas for the 60th race which, with 116 participants, had attracted the biggest fleet in a decade.

But by the second day, half the fleet had dropped out after the weather gods threw down almost every element imaginable.

"The wind picked up on the second night," Thwaites said. "Just prior to that we had major water spouts ... so big they made us look insignificant.

"Then we had two inches of hail sitting on the deck. We had to have people standing in front of the helmsman to shield his eyes from the hail.

"Then there was a big, bad electrical storm. At that stage the wind had almost stopped, then going on dark the front came through and suddenly we were in 40-knot-plus winds and huge seas."

Although Thwaites' crew were able to motor ashore, the most chilling exit from the race came from last year's winner, Skandia, which with Konica Minolta and eventual line honours winners Nicorette, were the race favourites.

Owner Grant Wharington and his crew were forced to abandon the yacht after a hydraulic ram failed, causing the canting keel to swing uncontrollably, thrusting the boat from side to side.

Crew boarded liferafts and plunged into big seas and freezing, hail-laced winds.

Their last communication: "Mayday, mayday, mayday. This is Skandia, Skandia, Skandia. Position 40-22, 150-09.

"We are preparing to depart the vessel,"

The 16 crew members were rescued soon after by the police. The $4 million yacht, however, capsized soon after.

It has since been found and towed ashore.

"I went and saw Grant [Wharington] as soon as he arrived in Hobart," Thwaites said. "I had spoken to his wife and little boy before that and they were obviously pretty concerned. It was good being able to say to his son Oliver, 'Hey, dad's okay and that is the main thing'."

This year's taxing conditions mean the Sydney-to-Hobart's reputation as one of the most punishing ocean races in the world will remain intact.

Unbelievably, there are many like Thwaites who are already counting down to next year's event.

Konica Minolta will be repaired in Hobart before returning to New Zealand.

Thwaites then plans to race it in Europe before returning for the 61st Sydney-to-Hobart race.

"It will be harder next year because there are a couple of other maxis being built," he said. "But we have to do it one more time."