Nicorette Rallies in Sydney-to-Hobart Race
Defending line honors winner Nicorette was back on track in the Sydney-to-Hobart sailing race Thursday, closing in on leader and Volvo around-the-world entrant Illbruck of Germany.
Nicorette had dropped to 15th overnight when its mainsail was torn after being hit by a twister and hailstones while leading the race late Wednesday.
Skipper Ludde Ingvall said the 80-foot yacht was making up ground with the use of its backup mainsail.
Nicorette last year recorded the second-fastest line-honors victory in the 57-year history of the 630-nautical-mile Sydney-to-Hobart race.
Eight of 75 starters in the Sydney-to-Hobart race retired by early Thursday after storms and winds of up to 30 knots. Boats contesting the Volvo Ocean Race filled the leading positions.
The Volvo yachts are headed to Auckland, New Zealand, on the third leg of the around-the-world race, with a stop in Hobart.
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