Sailing: Micropay stays on pace

RACING rather than rescues took precedence yesterday as the battered remains of the Sydney to Hobart race fleet enjoyed a respite from the gales which knocked out two-thirds of the 106 entries in the first 72 hours, writes Stuart Alexander from Sydney.

In the lead was Ninetyseven, the new 47ft IMS yacht owned by a syndicate of Australian and Hong Kong businessmen and skippered by Andrew Strachan.

With 140 miles to go he was just ahead of a yacht which has put up an even more remarkable performance, Micropay Cuckoo's Nest, a new 40ft IMS yacht designed locally by the young David Lyons which looked fast going through the Heads at the entrance to Sydney Harbour after the start on Boxing Day and has been up with the chasing group ever since. When the big boys fell out - and by last night only 37 yachts were left in the race - Micropay just kept going.

KODAK SYDNEY TO HOBART RACE: Overall positions: 1 Ninetyseven; 2 Micropay Cuckoo's Nest; 3 Sword of Orion. IMS division: 1 Ninetyseven; 2 Micropay; 3 Marara. IOR Division: 1 Impeccable; 2 Wild Oats; 3 Team Fujitsu.