Official confirmation of the Sydney to Hobart handicap winner has been put on ice amid a claim for time redress by a yacht that went to help a stricken fellow competitor.
NSW yacht Celestial, which crossed the line on Wednesday, is first in the overall standings and expected to win after last year losing top spot due to a time penalty.
A hearing will be held on Thursday afternoon after Enterprise Next Generation applied for redress for standing by Koa, which had suffered rudder damage and ultimately retired.
An official announcement about the overall winner won't be made until after the hearing.
Enterprise Next Generation, which sits in 14th position on the overall standings, could be awarded time for time lost racing.
However, skipper Anthony Kirke said he didn't expect Enterprise Next Generation to oust Celestial from top spot.
"We might squeeze into the top ten. I don't think we're going to challenge Celestial," he said.
"They sailed an amazing race. In my mind they've won. I don't see us getting anywhere near them."
Kirke said his team lost about 70 minutes and then spent more time sailing upwind to Hobart as a result of the delay.
"We'll get credit for that time. We'll put all that on the table (at the hearing) and see where it goes," he said.
The remaining fleet battled very rough seas on Wednesday night - the list of retirements grew to nine with New Caledonia's Eye Candy (forestay damage) forced to pull the pin.
Victorian 47-footer Cyan Moon (damaged gooseneck) and NSW's Flying Cloud (broken boom) both suffered damage but have continued sailing.
"We had strong winds - 25 gusting to 35 knots, 2.5 metre waves. (It was) very messy and confused. It was so nice to see the sun come out this morning," Quantock navigator Jonathan Turner said.
Some 70 yachts from the starting fleet of 109 were still at sea at midday Thursday in much calmer conditions.
Last-placed two-handed yacht Currawong, being sailed by Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham, isn't expected to arrive until next year.
Veteran Sydney sailor David Blanchfield was taken to hospital on Wednesday after arriving in Hobart with a broken leg after being tossed around in bad weather aboard Moneypenny.
Line honours were claimed by supermaxi Andoo Comanche for the fourth time in the early hours of Wednesday.
