Yachts SHK Scallywag (centre), Lawconnect (right), and Andoo Comanche compete during the start of the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day at Sydney Harbour on 26 December, 2023. Photo: AFP / David Gray
In a finish for the ages, LawConnect has sensationally overtaken Andoo Comanche in the final moments to snatch line honours in the 2023 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Andoo Comanche held the lead a lot more comfortably when rounding the Tasman Peninsula and entering the River Derwent for the final sprint, but LawConnect started to rapidly gain on them.
The speedier LawConnect closed several nautical miles between them along the river until they were neck and neck to a nail-biting finish.
LawConnect's finish time in the end was 1 day, 19 hours, 3 minutes and 58 seconds. Andoo Comanche's was just 51 seconds behind.
LawConnect owner Christian Beck described their dramatic win as a dream come true.
"I can't believe that result. Honestly, it's a dream come true," he said.
"I never thought it was possible, actually."
Despite trailing by a significant margin as they passed the Iron Pot on the final approach, LawConnect had the advantage of being able to watch Andoo Comanche to see where the slow spots were.
LawConnect entered with a protest flag flying, after being on standby for about 30 minutes during the race due to concerns Andoo Comanche was in distress at one stage.
There was also some interference from a spectator boat in the final moments, with a catamaran passing close to Andoo Comanche and the crew being seen yelling and gesturing.
Sailing master Tony Mutter said spectator boats were something the competitors had to deal with.
"It's pretty fair that everyone had troubles with the spectator boats. That's part of it when it's so busy," he said.
Yacht Andoo Comanche (right) competes during the start of the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day at Sydney Harbour on 26 December, 2023. Photo: AFP / David Gray
Andoo Comanche skipper John Winning Jr said they only had themselves to blame for the last-minute loss.
"We should have been miles ahead of them with our boat," he said.
"The conditions suited us, I think they just outsailed us."
Thousands of spectators watched the dramatic finish at Constitution Dock from 7am (local time) as the two super maxis jostled for the top position.
It was the perfect finish to one of the most memorable editions of the blue water classic, held amidst intense storms over south-east Australia.
The remainder of the fleet is crossing the Bass Strait, where conditions are easier than the previous night.
It has been a testing 78th edition of the Sydney to Hobart, with a man overboard, stormy seas, damaged yachts and rapid wind changes.
Eleven boats have retired, including race favourite SHK Scallywag, which broke its bow sprit on the first day.
The skipper of two-handed Rum Rebellion, Shane Connelly, was sent overboard at 6pm on Boxing Day after encountering rapid wind changes off the coast between Cronulla and Wollongong.
Two-handed Currawong also retired, after facing various issues in rough conditions off New South Wales.
Owner Kathy Veel said they were disappointed but believed they made the right decision.
"Last night was quite difficult and there was a lot more of that ahead of us in a long race," she said.
They were the last boat to cross the finishing line at last year's event, making a well-received arrival in Hobart at midnight on New Year's Eve.
-This story was first published by the ABC