Rolex Sydney-Hobart, LawConnect makes two in a row
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Hobart – Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race line honours has been claimed for a second year in a row by LawConnect. The 100-ft (30.48m) maxi skippered by Christian Beck completed the 628-nautical mile course at 02:35.13 AEDT on Saturday 28 December in an elapsed time of one day, 13 hours, 35 minutes and 13 seconds.
Having been the first yacht to clear Sydney Heads shortly after the start of the race, LawConnect soon found herself playing catch up down the New South Wales coast. Once out in open water, current race record holder Master Lock Comanche rapidly built an impressive lead over her rival 100-ft maxi. That was until main sail damage forced her retirement on the first night. In testing conditions and showing admirable teamwork, the LawConnect crew were able to manage the final stages of the race to finish first in Hobart.
Celestial V70, skippered by CYCA Commodore Sam Haynes, was the second yacht over the finish line at 05:10, arriving some 27 minutes ahead of the next finisher, Wild Thing 100.
The first two days of the 79th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart saw challenging conditions endured by the entire fleet. The race has been marked by tragedy, with the death of two sailors following accidents on two different yachts – Bowline and Flying Fish Arctos – on the first night.
David Jacobs, Vice Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, gave the following statement at a press conference held in Hobart:
“Our priority has to be for the families, for their friends, for the sailing community and particularly for those boats that are still racing, we need to focus on making sure we monitor them from a safety perspective.”
As a sign of respect for the sailors, crews, family and friends of the two yachts involved in the tragic accidents no organized celebrations were held for line honours nor will there be for the overall winner ahead of the final prizegiving on 31 December.
As of 16:00 local time, three yachts had finished the race, there had been 29 retirements and 72 crews were still racing.
With line honours decided, the focus turns to the coveted Tattersall Cup, awarded to the best performing yacht on handicap. For the crews still out at sea, the benchmark time to beat is currently that set by Celestial V70. If she proves triumphant, Commodore Sam Haynes will skipper a boat to Rolex Sydney Hobart success for a second time following victory in 2022 on his TP52 Celestial.
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