Ken Read, the American skipper of super-maxi Comanche, said the yacht was “nothing shy of spectacular” after it took line honours in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Monday (December 28).
Comanche crossed the finishing line in Hobart’s Derwent River estuary late on Monday night, clocking an unofficial time of two days, eight hours, 58 minutes, over 50 nautical miles ahead of compatriot Rambler 88, vindicating Read’s decision to make running repairs in winds of up to 40 knots instead of withdrawing like rival and pre-race favorite Wild Oats XI.
The yacht staged an incredible comeback after damaging a rudder in rough seas and briefly retiring. After Read decided to battle on, Comanche then staged a 13-hour chase to catch up with Rambler 88, before overtaking George David’s yacht whose crew belatedly discovered their yacht had also sustained damage.
“I think it’s fair to say we’ve got the fastest 100-footer in the world,” said Read at the trophy presentation ceremony. “You saw what it did off the starting line and what it did down that first run. We were 30 miles ahead when we broke. We love this boat, Jim and Kristy have given us this platform to sail that is nothing shy of spectacular.”
The victory was also a sweet moment for the owners, the husband-and-wife team of Jim and Kristy Hinze-Clark. Kristy, who is also one of Australia’s top super-models, has become the first woman owner of a line-honours winning yacht.
“There was a bunch of emotions that went on. Pure terror at one stage, excitement, now just total joy and fulfilment, I mean it’s just one of the best things I’ve ever done,” she said. (Reuters)