Wind-less Hobart welcome for yachts

The first day-and-a-half of the Sydney to Hobart has been one of the fastest on record, but a lack of wind across southern Tasmania is leaving boats bobbing and sailors frustrated.

Almost as soon as the first three finishers crossed the line on Wednesday morning, someone switched off the breeze.

It took fourth-placed line honours boat Black Jack hours to cover the final mile and owner Peter Harburg said they dropped anchor at times to stop drifting backwards.

"It was terrible out there.

"It's really frustrating for a sailor in a race to be not moving.

"We had the anchor down for two-and-a-half hours, down in the bay, less than a mile from the line."

The change in conditions is reducing the number of qualifiers for handicap honours as the smaller boats struggle in mill pond conditions.

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia commodore John Markos said Perpetual LOYAL's record-breaking win was well timed.

"Perpetual LOYAL was very lucky the wind didn't shutdown earlier," he said, adding that second-placed Giacomo and third Scallywag just got home before the calm.

Six of the 83-boat racing fleet have crossed the line while expectations that the majority of yachts would finish on Wednesday appear dashed.