Yachting: Tornado hits racer

A tornado has knocked out one of the favourites in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Australian contender Skandia Wild Thing had its mainsail and headsail damaged by a twister close to Jervis Bay, 100 nautical miles south of Sydney. It was forced to return yesterday.

Skipper Grant Wharington said he had never seen such a severe twister.

"It was like a spiralling cloud with very fast winds around the perimeter," he said.

The boat's meteorologist, Fiona Campbell, said the twister started about 50m and built up to around 500m in width, travelling at about 60 knots.