SYDNEY — New Zealand super maxi Alfa Romeo was the clear leader in the second day of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race Sunday, stretching its lead over Britain's ICAP Leopard and favourite Wild Oats XI.

Australia's Wild Oats XI, which has taken line honours for the last four years, was beaten out of Sydney Heads by Alfa at the start of the race and by Sunday had slipped further behind to be about 15 nautical miles off the lead.

ICAP Leopard was in second place, about 11 nautical miles behind Alfa, as the race slowed amid light winds, making the possibility of a record time virtually impossible.

With little wind to push the 96-strong fleet and weather conditions expected to be patchy, officials said it would become a tactical test to see which skippers could find the quickest way down Australia's east coast.

"Bass Strait looks like it's going to be very tricky later today and there won't be many passing lanes," Wild Oats XI navigator Adrienne Cahalan said.

Source: AFP