The 65-footer owned by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Rear Commodore Martin James, suffered a 2 metre hole amidships on the port side and a smaller hole near the stern when the Jetcat rammed into the yacht just off the Opera House.

“All the holes have been plugged and the stainless steel repairs done,” said Martin James today as he worked alongside his crew at the Cruising Yacht Club marina in Darling Point. “We managed to knock a few jobs over today but there is still a lot to do. We are finding some issues along the way but I think we’ll get there,” he added, referring to the approaching start day.

After spending two weeks out of the water under repair, Infinity III was re-launched yesterday and the crew has spent today reassembling the boat. James said the crew will work right up to the last minute to get the boat ready, with two practice sails planned, one for tomorrow afternoon and the other for Monday evening.

Infinity III last raced to Hobart in 1998 and had almost completed extensive works to prepare for the challenging 630 nautical mile race south before the accident happened.

Fifty-seven yachts will line up at 1.00pm next Thursday for the 58th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race with the long-range forecast predicting light east to south easterlies for the start but backing to the north and freshening over the next 24 hours.

Source: Peter Campvell