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The boat was carrying a number three headsail and full main with a 25 knot breeze and flat seas when the mast snapped at the second spreader. It is thought that there may have been stronger winds at the top section of the mast and it wasn't felt at water level. Skipper Richard MCGARVIE was pleased to report no crewmembers were injured in the incident and they were able to secure the mast to the deck and motor to the Elizabeth St dock in Hobart.

Late this afternoon eight boats where on the dock at Elizabeth St dock with crews and supporters enjoying a well earned drink after the 480 miles travelled in testing conditions over the last three days. The remainder of the 17-boat fleet are expected to be over the finish line before midnight with Island Trader and Magazan 53 bringing up the tail end in the freezing conditions.

Current provisional handicap results have the Commodore of Sandringham Yacht Club Geoff HENDERSON'S Rumbeat holding third in two of the three divisions. Under Capricorn is leading from VDO Ruthless in the IRC division with Rumbeat in third. AMS, the premier handicap division has By Order of the Secretary well placed in first with Wavelength second and VDO Ruthless third. PHD has Amaya in first place with Babe holding onto second place and Rumbeat in third.

Yesterday, Indec Merit took line honours in the Indec Melbourne Hobart Race. Cruising down the Derwent River as the sun started to rise over Hobart yesterday morning; the Volvo 60 Indec Merit took line honours in the 31st Indec Melbourne to Hobart race at 4:27am. The race record of I day 23 hours and fifteen minutes was safe for another year with the elapsed time for the line honours boat of 64 hours, 27 minutes and 10 seconds.

This is the second time skipper David GOTZE has taken line honours in this race in the last ten years previously winning on Prime Example in 1993 and winning on IMS handicap with Sword of Orion in 1996. "It's great to be back in Hobart" smiled Gotze as he docked yesterday "The crew sailed well and are looking forward to well earned beer."

Indec Merit sailed overnight in continuous breeze that lightened at some stages but stayed with them all the way up the traditionally fickle Derwent River. After carrying spinnakers across the bottom of Tasmania they crossed the finish with a full mainsail and headsail.

The remainder of the Indec Melbourne to Hobart fleet are expected to finish over the next 24 hours with the tailenders of the fleet still coming around the southern tip of Tasmania.