Yachting: rough start for Sydney to Hobart

Photo / Alex Robertson

Crews contesting the Sydney to Hobart yacht race could have to contend with strong southerlies of up to 40 knots on the first night of the competition.

The fleet of 88 will be given a great push out of Sydney with northerlies of up to 20 knots forecast.

However, a predicted change later today will bring strong southerlies, with the prospects of thunderstorms.

Several crew members were racing just to get to the start line after severe storms left them stranded in Melbourne.

Flights out of Melbourne were cancelled last night, throwing race plans into chaos for competitors who had been in the Victorian capital spending Christmas with their families.

Crews from Ichi Ban, Living Doll, Scarlet Runner, Calm and Chutzpah were all affected.

The race is due to start on Sydney Harbour at 1pm AEDT, 3pm NZT.

Chutzpah's Bruce Taylor, who is setting off on his 31st trip, was still hopeful that his missing crew would arrive in time to start the famous race.

"Gavin Gourley, one of my 25ers, is still to fly in,'' Taylor said.

New Zealand's only Sydney to Hobart representative Outrageous Fortune is set to sail on after undergoing some last-minute repairs.

The Auckland-based 45-foot boat had the work done on Saturday after a crack was detected in her second spreader - a spar that provides support to the mast.

- AAP