Sunday proves tough for smaller boats in fleet Wedgetail hit rough waters in the Sydney to Hobart. Tough conditions in the Sydney to Hobart took their toll on the fleet that trailed line honours winner Wild Oats XI. As the number of yachts that reached the finish in Hobart increased, so too did the number of breakages on other yachts due to the strong south-westerly winds that had been forecast and were blowing off the Tasmanian south-east coast and Bass Strait. The Bill Wild-owned 55 footer Wedgetail dismasted south of Tasman Island at about 4am, the 35-footerLuna Sea from Drummoyne, NSW due to a lost rudder 53 nautical miles east of Flinders and at about the same time, and earlier the British Clipper 70-footer Henri Lloyd that is leading the Clipper Round the World Race on overall standing and lost its rudder bearing east of Cape Barren Island at 10.11pm on Saturday and withdrew. Details were still coming to hand this morning about the dismasting of Wedgetail, but reports are that all of the crew, including navigator Adrienne Cahalan who is in her 22nd Hobart race, are well and that the boat was safe and protected near the Tasmanian Peninsula in the north of the island and readying to motor most probably to Hobart. Other yachts were also nearby Wedgetail after dawn on Sunday morning. They were Jim Cooney's 80-footer Brindabella, Zefiro and the British 82-footer Nikata. Wild Oats XI claimed a record equalling seventh line honours win on Saturday night, followed by super maxi rivals Perpetual Loyal and Ragamuffin 100. Meanwhile, other yachts were also nearby Luna Sea on Sunday morning. Race officials also reported that the crew on Luna Sea are all safe as it awaited the police launch Van Diemen that left Lady Barron and was estimated to reach her by midday. With regards to the Clipper entrant Henri Lloyd, the Clipper Race Office issued the following statement: At 2211 local time (1111 UTC) Henri Lloyd informed the Clipper Race Office of its intention to retire from the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Clipper Race Director Justin Taylor explained: "This is due to a damaged rudder bearing which is allowing excessive movement of the rudder shaft. The skipper is making a seaman-like decision to retire and motor sail into the comparatively calmer waters off Flinders Island before altering course for Hobart. This is in an effort to prevent further damage to the rudder bearing. The yacht is not in any danger and should make Hobart without any outside assistance. We are monitoring the situation and are in regular contact with the skipper.