Black Jack has reclaimed the Sydney to Hobart lead amid a three-way supermaxi tussle off Tasmania's east coast.
The Monaco 100-footer was overtaken briefly on Monday evening in Bass Strait by Sydney-based boat LawConnect but regained a six nautical mile advantage by 6.30 am this morning..
Hong Kong's SHK Scallywag100, which led the fleet out of Sydney Heads on Sunday, is in third position.
Cruising Yacht club of Australia commodore Noel Cornish has said a tight finish up Hobart's River Derwent is on the cards.
Rough seas have forced 35 of the fleet's 88 strong starting field to retire, with more than a dozen of those pulling the pin on Monday.
Love & War and Smuggler, both from NSW, and Queensland's Fruit Salid 3 are among the handicap front-runners.
Tasmanian boat Sidewinder is leading the new two-handed sailing category ahead of 10 others.
Images: Cruising Yacht Club of Australia