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Maxis lead Sydney-Hobart classic
 Super-maxi Alfa Romeo is one of the favorites in the Sydney-Hobart race. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSSYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Alfa Romeo overtook Wild Oats as the super maxis headed south at record pace in the 61st Sydney to Hobart yacht race. An estimated 400,000 people watched from the shores of Sydney's harbor as Wild Oats led Alfa Romeo out of The Heads earlier Monday, with both yachts expected to challenge the six-year-old race record. The fleet is being driven by strong northerly breezes, although calmer than originally forecast. Nokia holds the record for the 628-nautical mile (723-mile; 1,163-kilometer) race at one day, 19 hours, 48 minutes and two seconds, set in 1999. New Zealand-owned Alfa Romeo had a lead of more than 2 nautical miles (2.3 miles, 3.7 kilometers) over Wild Oats by 9 p.m. local time (1000 GMT), with Skandia a further 3.5 nautical miles (4 miles, 6.5 kilometers) behind. The leading trio had left the remainder of the 85-strong fleet in its wake. "We've just got to concentrate on making sure that we don't make any mistakes as it gets dark," Alfa Romeo navigator Ian Moore told Australian Associated Press. "Things become much more difficult in the dark and we have to rely on the training we've done." The leading yachts are expected to arrive in Hobart, capital of the southern Tasmania state, on Wednesday morning local time. According to the race organizers, the weather conditions will benefit the super-maxis and slow down the midsize boats of 50 to 60 feet, to the extent that one of the super-maxis could take line honors and win on handicap as well. Weather is always a crucial factor in the event. In the tragic race of 1998, when massive seas struck the fleet, six sailors lost their lives, 55 crew members had to be rescued and only 44 of 115 boats completed the race. Technology also is tested to the limit. During last year's event, race favorite Skandia lost its keel, rolled over and had to be abandoned. Konica Minolta, which won in 2003, also was forced out in 2004 with structural damage. Last year's line honors winner, the 90-foot Nicorette, is racing this year as AAPT, skippered by Sean Langman. 
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