Sydney to Hobart winner LawConnect will receive a shocking amount of prize money
- The Sydney to Hobart finish was the second closest ever
- LawConnect claimed the line honors with just 51 seconds
- Followed Andoo Comanche and entered the River Derwent
Perennial bridesmaid LawConnect has claimed Sydney to Hobart line honors in one of the craziest finishes of the big race, but won't get a cent in prize money for the stunning win.
LawConnect, second in the past three events, crossed the finish line of the River Derwent not long after 8am (AEDT) on Thursday, just 51 seconds ahead of Andoo Comanche.
The two supertaxis, who were neck-and-neck throughout the race, played a cat-and-mouse game in light winds as they approached the finish line.
Both performed several jibe maneuvers as they attempted to secure the lead.
It is the second-closest finish in Sydney to Hobart history, after Bermuda's Condor beat Apollo by just seven seconds in 1982.
LawConnect pulled off one of the great comebacks on Thursday morning to win line honors in the Sydney to Hobart (photo, skipper Christian Beck lifting the trophy)
The race winners will not receive any prize money, but they will get to take home a trophy (pictured greeting LawConnect after the come-from-behind victory)
The final finishing time of LawConnect, skippered and owned by Christian Beck, was one day, 19 hours, three minutes and 58 seconds.
Surprisingly, no prize money is awarded to the winner of the race, but the teams aren't just competing for honors either.
Teams compete for trophies in several categories, the two most important being Line Honors and Overall.
The overall winner will be determined based on handicap.
Many yachts participating in the event had black sails this year instead of the white sails previously associated with the event.
That's because many sails are now made of carbon fiber for its strength, and the high-tech substance is black.
Running tarps in that color also help protect against the sun's UV rays, making them more durable.
The Comanche had taken a narrow lead in the Derwent River after maintaining the lead along Tasmania's east coast on Wednesday evening.
LawConnect came 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.
Many yachts taking part in the historic race now use black sails instead of the more traditional white ones, as they contain carbon fiber for strength
Scallywag had to withdraw about six hours into the race after breaking her bowsprit.
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 80 nautical miles behind the two duel leaders, while the third remaining supermaxi Wild Thing 100 is further back in sixth place.