Attrition in the Sydney to Hobart.
The race has always been tough and over the years the regulations for safely have become stricter.
Especially after the 1998 disaster.
So now, all competing boats are really well prepared and inspected.
Riggers, sailmakers. electrical and mechanical engineers, crew, owners and race committees crawl over every boat.
That why it is so surprising that so many boats have retired for such a range of failures.
However. rigging, electronics, sails, rudders, engines have all seen failures in one way or another.
Of the 128 yachts competing, 33 have retired.
Crews have been battling challenging conditions, damage and sea sickness as the leading yachts are expected to arrive in Hobart later today.
www.abc.net.au