Perennial bridesmaid LawConnect has claimed Sydney to Hobart line honours, coming from behind to pip fellow supermaxi Andoo Comanche in a thrilling river finale.
LawConnect, runner-up in the past three events, crawled across the River Derwent finish line not long after 8am (AEDT) on Thursday.
The pair, who were neck-and-neck the whole race, played cat-and-mouse in light winds as they neared the finish line.
LawConnect crossed less than one minute ahead of Comanche.
Comanche had taken a narrow lead into the River Derwent after holding the advantage down Tasmania’s east coast on Wednesday night.
LawConnect, skippered and owned by Christian Beck, was first out of the Heads in Sydney on Boxing Day after a dramatic start to the 628-nautical mile bluewater classic and the retirement of fellow supermaxi SHK Scallywag.
The closest finish in Sydney to Hobart history came in 1982 when Condor of Bermuda beat Apollo by a mere seven seconds.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
A genuine question: Does anyone really follow this race any more? It seems to attract almost wall to wall coverage in the media, yet it rarely comes up in conversation. I used to be an avid follower, from heading out on boats to watch the start to following the "sked" calls on HF radio. This year I watched a few minutes of the start but gave up as the commentary was so dull and "advertising managed". Now it seems that it is just another way to put billboards on TV and radio. Especially since this thing of putting the sponsor name as the main part of the vessel name became a thing. Does anyone actually follow it any more?