A sartorial statement from the start of the Sydney-Hobart

Thousands of spectators were treated to an unusual sight on boxing day at the start of the Sydney Hobart race, as the crew of the British Volvo 60 yacht Hugo Boss II revealed its true colours: all-white Hugo Boss suits.

Eighty-one other yachts crossed the start line in in a light 8-10 knot north-easterly wind. The 30m Maxi yacht Wild Oats XI, looking for her third win in a row, led the fleet out of Sydney harbour. A wind shift overnight favoured the Fastnet race winner City Index Leopard, however latest positions on the official Rolex Sydney Hobart race website put Wild Oats more than 20NM in the lead with less than 180NM to the finish.

Meanwhile Hugo Boss II in 11th place leads the other two Volvo 60 yachts George Gregan Foundation (13th)and DHL-Daily Telegraph (14th).

Just three yachts have retired so far this year, although at least three crew have been treated for injuries ashore.

Keep up with the fleet on www.rolexsydneyhobart.com