Weather conditions have turned for battered Sydney to Hobart yachts who survived a brutal storm on the race's opening night.
Winds are easing and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has predicted the weather will improve for the remainder of the race.
As yachts cross through the Bass Strait on Sunday they will meet lighter conditions with 15 to 20 knots and waves of up to 2 metres, BOM meteorologist Rachel McInerney says.
Southerly and north-easterly swells moving in different directions might cause some havoc, but yachts will have moved past stronger winds of 20 to 30 knots that have been hitting the NSW coastline.
The easing conditions have come too late for the 19 yachts forced to retire from the race.
The list of casualties has continued to grow after the fleet copped a battering when it crossed paths with wild weather late on Boxing Day.
None are bigger than defending line honours champion Wild Oats XI, whose mainsail was shredded in the fierce southerly buster.
The shattered crew were welcomed back by family and friends at Sydney's Woolwich Dock on Sunday morning.
Skipper Mark Richards was philosophical about having to pull out for the first time in its 10-year history.
"We had a failure and that's the way it is. Get on with life and start planning for next year," he said.
Other retirees have included Perpetual Loyal, who suffered a broken rudder, Dare Devil and Brindabella.
