One of the favourites of the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, URM Group, has been forced to retire after being dismasted.

URM Group, owned by Anthony and David Johnston, was sitting fourth on line and fourth overall. She finished second overall last year after crossing the line in third place.

The Reichel Pugh Maxi 72 from NSW was sailing 65 nautical miles south east of Montague Island when the incident occurred.

Navigator Alice Parker explained, “I was downstairs, we were about to get the A4 (an asymmetric spinnaker) off, then there was a big bang and a big collapse. The mast broke 1½ metres above the deck, right above the instruments.”

Parker continued, “The boys did a really good job of cutting the rig away and we are heading to Eden.

“We’re all pretty gutted. The boat was really lit up . We were doing really well. We were averaging 20 knots in 25 knots of breeze.”

It becomes the fourth boat to retire from the race organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, after Ciao Bella retired at 2014hrs after her steering cable snapped leaving her rudderless.

Earlier, last year’s winner, Phillip Turner’s Alive (Tas) became the first to retire, at 1610hrs, when it suffered engine issues, followed by Transcendence Rudy Project, Martin and John Cross’s double handed entry, which was also dismasted around 1820hrs.

The remaining fleet of 100 yachts is continuing down the New South Wales south coast, led by Master Lock Comanche (Matt Allen and James Mayo), but Christian Beck’s Law Connect has closed the gap to 3.5 nautical miles.

Steve Dettre/RSHYR Media