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New American flyer Comanche is just managing to hold off Sydney to Hobart race record Holder Wild Oats XI on the first night of the classic ocean race.
Strong southerly winds that forced seven withdrawals from the original 117 starters in the first seven-and-a-half hours have abated to around 14 knots.
At the front, Comanche, which won the dash to be first through Sydney Heads, is about one nautical mile ahead of seven-times line honours winner Wild Oats.
Two other supermaxis, Perpetual LOYAL and Ragamuffin 100, are battling for third place with the former four miles adrift of Oats.
The leaders are past Bermagui and are well off race-record pace.
Of the retired yachts, 1997 line honours winner Brindabella is the biggest boat and highest profile casualty.
The 21-year-old 80-footer pulled out with rudder bearings issues.
Barely two hours had elapsed before news of the first casualties emerged.
Sydney-based boats Bear Necessity (rudder damage) and Accessional Coarse Language Too (steering damage) and Victorian yacht Tina of Melbourne (hull damage) were among the first wave of stricken vessels to stop racing.
Triton (forestay damage), Wiilyama (torn mainsail), Brindabella and Last Tango (sail damage) were later additions.