Editor's Note: 1949 Sydney Hobart Race Report
The following article appeared in the Truth Newspaper in Brisbane on Sunday, Jan 1, 1950, on Page 13
TRADE WINDS MAY BLOW IN AS WINNER
HOBART, Saturday. — Fortunes fluctuated as the three- leading yachts in the Sydney Hobart race, Margaret Rintoul, Trade Winds and Waltzing Matilda, headed for the entrance of the Derwent. this morning when they were first sighted off Tasman Island, about 46 miles from the finishing line.
The 46-foot cutter Waltzing Matilda .was leading the 43foot cutter Trade Winds by five miles with the 43-foot yawl Margaret Rintoul a further four miles behind Trade Winds.
'WALTZING MATILDA maintained her lead due to favourable conditions all morning. Early in the afternoon, however, a drop in the winds apparently caused Waltzing Matilda to veer southwards to the hope of catching a southeasterly. The gamble was not successful and, shortly after 1 o'clock, Waltzing Matilda was moving slowly in a slack south-westerly.
Waltzing Matilda's change of course enabled Margaret Rintoul to pass Trade Winds and take the lead. By 'mid-afternoon, the vessels were still in Storm Bay, about 27 miles from Hobart.
Conditions were almost calm and all vessels were rolling heavily. It was anticipated that the first yacht would not cross the line before 7 pm. Experienced yachtsmen believe that Trade Winds has every prospect of winning the event on corrected time. She is nicely handicapped and although she was trailing Margaret Rintoul by two miles, she is also considered to have a good chance of being first across the line.
All entrants to the event have now been accounted for except the 40-foot ketch Horizon and the Tasmanian schooner Wanderer. An aircraft this .morning noted four yachts becalmed. They were the Lass Oluss and Nocturne, which were standing off Maria Island, about 80 miles from the finishing line, the Seasalter which was stationary near Schouten Island, about 100 miles from Hobart, and the Peer Gynt. Gipsy Queen, Mistral and Fortuna were off Tasman Island, 60 miles from Hobart.
Unfavourable sailing conditions are being experienced by almost every entrant. Since 9.30 this morning, the three leading yachts have made only 15 to 20 miles. A large crowd has been gathering on the Hobart foreshore since before lunch to see the first yacht cross the line.
Editor's Note:
This was a long race, it's the afternoon of the 31st and no yacht has finished.