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Three retired boats in two separate collisions have marred the start of this year’s Sydney to Hobart race.
American 88-footer Rambler currently holds a slight lead over compatriot Comanche, with Wild Oats XI trailing not far behind.
But it’s what happened at the start line that has taken the gloss over the 71st edition of the dash.
Tasmanian boat Cougar II returned inside an hour wearing the most damage, with an entire corner ripped off the stern after an incident with the bigger Lupa of London.
The British 78-footer also re-docked at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
Chinese boat Ark323 came back with a crack in the deck after a prang with a rival yacht, while a fourth boat, M3, had her forestay snapped off the top of the rig and is also likely to pull out.
The Boxing Day entrants weren’t the only ones to crash out early, with start boat Aussie Legend forced into an emergency evacuation of its passengers at Taronga Zoo wharf when it began taking water.
Officials had to revert to using old-school horns and flags instead of the traditional firing of the cannon.
Comanche had earlier powered first into open waters with a blistering start, leaving Wild Oats XI and Perpetual Loyal eating dust at the sea mark.
Defending line honours winner Wild Oats XI had initially bolted out of the Sydney harbour but was overtaken by Perpetual Loyal out of the heads, before Comanche showed serious speed to pull away from her rivals.