LawConnect wins the Sydney to Hobart in one of the closest finishes in the history of the race
- The finish is one of the closest since the race was first held in 1945
- LawConnect came back from behind in the battle with Comanche
- Lead was changed on the Derwent River near the finish
LawConnect has come from behind to take line honors in one of the closest races ever held to Sydney and Hobart.
The supermaxi yacht and its rival Andoo Comanche were locked in an incredibly close battle for victory as they sailed up the Derwent River.
The two 100-footers, who were matched throughout the race, were within sight of each other around 7am (AEDT) on Thursday.
Comanche, chasing back-to-back victories, had a two-nautical-mile lead with the wind easing as the pair got closer to the finish.
LawConnect took line honors after overtaking Andoo Comanche with the finish in sight
Comanche had the advantage along Tasmania's east coast on Wednesday evening, but LawConnect – second in the past three events – caught up at dawn.
The closest finish in Sydney to Hobart history was in 1982 when Condor from Bermuda beat Apollo by just seven seconds.
LawConnect, skippered and owned by Christian Beck, came first out of the Heads in Sydney on Boxing Day after a dramatic start to the 628 nautical mile bluewater classic.
Comanche – the pre-race favorite – flew a protest flag and accused fellow supermaxi SHK Scallywag of tacking too close to her as the pair made their way out.
Scallywag, who completed a protest turn as a result, was forced to withdraw about six hours into the race after breaking her bowsprit.
Comanche had led the race until it was passed on the Derwent River in one of the most exciting finishes in the history of the BlueWater classic
Eleven of the 103-strong fleet that lined up pulled the pin, with some reporting damage and seasickness in challenging conditions, including a thunderstorm on the first night.
LawConnect navigator Chris Lewis described the stormy seas as “wild” with 180 degree wind shifts.
Moneypenny, URM Group and Alive are about 90 nautical miles behind the two duel leaders, with the third remaining supermaxi Wild Thing 100 further back in sixth place.
URM Group has suffered damage to the jib and has lost its code zero spinnaker.
Shane Connelly, skipper of retired two-hander Rum Rebellion, was briefly thrown overboard in strong winds off the NSW coast on Boxing Day.
There could be further challenges for crews as a strong wind warning is in effect for the waters off Tasmania's east coast on Thursday.