SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — More than 100 yachts set off on the annual Sydney-Hobart race Tuesday, with storms and hail threatening to lash sailors in one of the world's most grueling ocean events.

Thunder and rain lifted just minutes before the start at a slightly misty Sydney Harbour as spectators lined the waterfront or crowded onto boats to get a better view of the dramatic opening moments.

At the sound of the starting gun, 103 yachts tacked in light winds in search of the best line out of the harbor and an early lead in the punishing, 628-nautical-mile (1,200-kilometer) crossing to the Tasmanian state capital.

A little over two hours into the race, 100-foot supermaxi LawConnect — runner-up in the three previous editions — was in front, according to a live online tracker and race organizers.

Not far behind in second place was the favorite and last year's winner, fellow supermaxi Andoo Comanche, which holds the 2017 race record of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.

SHK Scallywag, another supermaxi, which sports a taller mast this year after undergoing extensive modifications, was in third place.

"We back our boat in any conditions to win the race," Andoo Comanche skipper John Winning told a news conference ahead of the start.

While preferring weather that favors the quickest possible race, Winning insisted his yacht was "fast in all conditions."

LawConnect's crew, though, was getting fed up with second-place.

"I always want to win the race and to actually, finally win it would be a dream come true," LawConnect skipper Christian Beck told Channel Nine news ahead of the race.