Yachting: Gentle but slow for Sydney to Hobart

New Zealand yachtsman Josh Tucker is happy with the weather forecast for today's start in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

A gentle but freshening nor';easter between 5-15 knots is expected at the start, increasing to 25-30 knots overnight before a southerly front slows the race down the following day.

Tucker is onboard the British Volvo 60 Class Hugo Boss II. There are no longer any New Zealand boats competing. He said the forecast should not be as rough as previous years.

He said while the weather would be pleasant and not the typical ";upwind Hobart bash" it would not be a particularly quick race.

Australian maxi Wild Oats XI is tipped to be the first boat since Morna between 1946-1948 to take line honours three years in a row but may find the race record too elusive.

- NEWSTALK ZB