Comanche leads 'toughest since 2004' Sydney to Hobart

Damaged U.S. super-maxi Comanche led the field early on Monday in a strong position to take line honours as the toughest Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race for more than 10 years neared the finish after bad weather forced out nearly a third of the fleet. Both Comanche and compatriot Rambler 88 have suffered damage in winds of up to 40 knots that also forced out the pre-race favourite, Australian record-holder Wild Oats XI. After a 13-hour chase, Jim Clark and Kristy Hinze-Clark's Comanche regained the