Rolex Sydney Hobart: Final mile decides Line Honours in favour of LawConnect
by Di Pearson | RSHYR Media 27 Dec 2023 14:27 PST
28 December 2023
andoo Comanche and LawConnect battle to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race finish © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race start ©Wendell Teodoro for @sailorgirlHQ
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race start ©Wendell Teodoro for @sailorgirlHQ
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In what has been an epic race from start to finish, Christian Beck's LawConnect has lost her bridesmaid tag of the last three years to claim line honours in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race this morning, crossing the Castray Esplanade finish line in Hobart at 08.03.58am this morning in the time of 1 day 19 hours 03 minutes 58 seconds.
The John Winning Jnr skippered Andoo Comanche held the upper hand for most of the 628 nautical mile race, but LawConnect was always there and overtook her at one point.
Early this morning there was little between the two and once again the Derwent sealed both boats fates, as a light, light breeze, teased and cajoled concentrating crews in an absolute thriller to the finish line.
Christian Beck's yacht finished well outside the race record of 1 day 9hrs 15min 24 sec, ironically set by the boat they beat today, which sailed as LDV Comanche to line honours victory in 2017 by her then owners, Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant.
It did not matter though.
Only 51 seconds separated LawConnect and Andoo Comanche at the end, in the second closest finish in the history of the race. The closest was in 1982 when Condor beat Apollo over the line by seven seconds.
All 21 crew are celebrating their victory on board the yacht this morning at Kings Pier in Hobart.
For the full list of entries and more information about the race, visit rolexsydneyhobart.com.