Namadgi crew member Peter Ottesen said the eight-strong crew was in good spirits as it went past Batemans Bay on Saturday afternoon.

"There's a gentle breeze, but yesterday was rough," Ottesen said.

"All the crew are okay apart from a few bruises.

"One of the crew has a possible cracked rib, there is some sea-sickness and an infected wound, but spirits are excellent.

"We will carry the spinnaker through the night and will take the opportunity when the conditions are good."

Namadgi is competing in its 15th Sydney to Hobart in the past 25 years.

Last year, it was the last yacht to cross the finish line, one hour before midnight on New Year's Eve.

Namadgi was tracking just ahead of the only other Canberra yacht in the race - C.Q.R.iT Inca, owned and skippered by Noel Sneddon.

Meanwhile, Canberra yachtsman Eric Adriaanse is completing his 26th Sydney to Hobart as part of the crew of Love and War.

The 64-year-old has entered the Sydney to Hobart more times than anyone from Canberra.

Last year, when he was aboard Brindabella, he joined a select group known as the Hobart Heroes, a title bestowed upon those who have completed 25 races.

Adriaanse won the handicap race with Love and War in 2006. He contemplated retiring from the race after sailing through the disaster of 1998 in which six people died and five boats sank.

"I did think about giving it away," Adriaanse said last year.

"I had a year to think about it and came back at the end of 2000.

"You're part of a team and there's camaraderie. It's one of the toughest races in the world. It smacks you in the face at some point."