South Australian yacht Two True, skippered by Andrew Saies, has won the Sydney to Hobart race on handicap at its first attempt at the ocean classic.

It’s only the fourth time in the 65 years of the race that a South Australian yacht has taken the coveted overall prize. The last was Ausmaid in 2000.

But Saies had to survive a tense wait before being awarded the Tattersalls Cup, while a series of protest hearings cleared him over a collision in Sydney Harbour that ended the race of Tasmanian entrant She’s the Culprit.

Another yacht, Kioni, was disqualified over the chain-reaction collision rounding the first mark in the harbour.

Saies, racing his fifth Sydney to Hobart, said the decision of five international sailing jurors exonerated his crew over the crash that punched a fist-sized hole in the Tasmanian’s hull.

“It weighs on your mind when you do a yacht race of 628 nautical miles, to say `I wonder how that will go’,” he said.

Saies represents the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, where the protest controversy soon gave way to parochial celebration.

“This is an iconic event in Australia,” Saies said.

“It’s something that all yachties want to be involved with and maybe dream one day about winning.”

Saies also paid tribute to his team, the builder of his new yacht.

“This is a race that is difficult to win,” he said.

“I’m in great company in South Australia.

“I’m in great company with the names on the trophy.

“I’m very proud and privilege to be on it. It’s a wonderful experience.”

Saies said he’d spoken to the crew of She’s the Culprit since the decision and there was no bad blood between the teams.

© AAP 2012

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