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31 December 2004, 07:22 am

Extent Of Damage To Skandia Still Unknown

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Skandia owner-skipper Grant WHARINGTON this morning still cannot be sure of the overall extent of the damage to his 98 footer. The Hi-modulus mast was broken on impact with the water and her mainsail was torn to pieces, by the pieces of mast; with control lines still attached working against the main and boom.

Yesterday it was a sad sight as the shattered mast and the remains of the mainsail were being dragged behind the yacht as she was towed to Flinders Island.

This morning Wharington explained, 'The mast has been broken in four places, that much we do know. As for the condition of the rest of the yacht until we get her on dry land we will be unable to comment.'

Now in Lady Baron Harbour, Skandia will shortly be lifted by crane onto a barge and shipped to Melbourne.

Wharington said, 'We are hoping that much of the damage is cosmetic, and that we will not have to address any structural issues. Only time will tell. We plan to have her back in Mornington by the end of play on Tuesday.'

Like many of the yachts racing in the 60th Hobart, Wharington's yacht was uninsured because of prohibitive premiums, in the order of AUS $7-800,000, being demanded for the supermaxi.

Wharington had already started building a new canting keel which was to have been installed after Skandia Geelong Week, so the loss of the existing keel is not as hurtful as it otherwise might have been.

Rob Kothe