Supermaxis Wild Oats XI and Investec Loyal are heading towards a thrilling finish in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Wild Oats regained the lead in the race for line honours as the yachts headed down the Tasmanian cost, but was only a nautical mile in front of Loyal, which led throughout the second night.
The pair are expected to reach the Derwent River on Wednesday evening for one of the closest finishes in race history.
The two crews are dealing with light and patchy northerly winds east of Cape Sonnerat on the east coast of Tasmania with just over 100 nautical miles left to race.
Supermaxi Lahana was in third place, more than 60 nautical miles back, while 11m yacht Whistler was leading on handicap.
Five more boats retired overnight, taking the number forced out to 12.
Pretty Fly III headed back to Sydney when a crew member suffered a knee injury.
It was joined in pulling out of the race by ColorTile, Alchemy III, Elektra and Shepherd Centre.
