Andoo Comanche skipper John Winning Jr has celebrated an emotional Sydney to Hobart line honours win with his father but the race yachts still at sea are bracing for a “terribly uncomfortable night” amid strong winds.
Hundred-foot supermaxi Andoo Comanche crossed the River Derwent finish line shortly before 1am (AEDT) on Wednesday, her fourth first-past-the-post win in the past seven races.
She clocked a time of one day, 11 hours, 56 minutes and 48 seconds – almost three hours outside the race record she set in 2017.
Winning Jr was aboard Perpetual LOYAL when she won line honours in 2016, but this was his first success as skipper.
He was sailing alongside his father John Winning Sr, who won Sydney to Hobart line honours on Ballyhoo in 1976.
“It’s pretty emotional. These are the types of things that you look back on and say you’re glad you got those opportunities,” Winning Jr said.
“He’s a big golfer and I hate golf, so it’s the only sport we can do together.”
Winning Jr dedicated the victory to “dear friend”, extreme sports venture Andoo X founder Matt Munting, who died earlier this year in a base-jumping accident.
Andoo Comanche, which had not sailed the race since tasting success in 2019, held off a strong challenge from LawConnect down the River Derwent to finish first by about 27 minutes.
Last year’s line honours victor Black Jack was third, while nine-time winner Hamilton Island Wild Oats was fourth.
Some 80 yachts still at sea on Wednesday evening were readying for a night of rough weather with a strong southerly tipped.
“Tonight is going to be horrific for them. They are going to have a terribly uncomfortable night. Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore, Arthur Lane, said.
The casualty ward has already started to mount, with the number of retirements from the 109-strong starting fleet increasing to eight.
Veteran sailor David Blanchfield was treated by paramedics for an injury to his leg after arriving in Hobart aboard Moneypenny.
Blanchfield was washed from the yacht’s bow to mast at sea overnight, with reports crew members provided first aid and pushed ligaments back inside his leg.
Tasmania Police were tasked with providing assistance to the retired Huntress and Sail Exchange, with the pair suffering broken rudders.
Sydney yacht Celestial was in the box seat for overall handicap honours, after last year copping a time penalty that cost her top spot.
Andoo Comanche, the pre-race line honours favourite, overcame a poor start on Boxing Day to set the pace down Australia’s east coast.
Winning Jr said his crew had to navigate some “hairy” moments early on, made more difficult by spectator zones that narrowed the course.
The supermaxi also hit a 10-foot log early in the race which chipped her rudder.
Andoo Comanche is the first yacht to take out Sydney to Hobart line honours under three different owners or skippers.
© AAP 2022
