Winds of change blowing as Sydney-Hobart hits high seas

SYDNEY - A record time for Australia's toughest yacht race, the Sydney to Hobart, could be thwarted by shifting winds in the notoriously wild Bass Strait.

The forecast was for a gusty start with a favorable strong north-easterly breeze, although a possible southerly change could hamper the supermaxis' record bid and turn the treacherous strait into "a parking lot".

The 74th edition of the grueling annual contest, which was due to begin on Wednesday, sees 85 yachts depart Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day, Dec 26, at 1 pm for the brutal 628-nautical mile (1,163 km) dash across the Tasman Sea to Hobart.