‘I can’t believe that result’: LawConnect claims dramatic Sydney to Hobart win

Perennial bridesmaid LawConnect has claimed Sydney to Hobart line honours, coming from behind to pip fellow supermaxi Andoo Comanche in a thrilling finale.

The runner-up in the past three events, LawConnect edged across the River Derwent finish line 51 seconds ahead of her rival just after 8am (AEDT) on Thursday.

It is the second-closest finish in Sydney to Hobart history after Condor of Bermuda beat Apollo by a mere seven seconds in 1982.

John Winning jnr’s Comanche had taken a narrow lead into the River Derwent after holding the advantage down Tasmania’s east coast on Wednesday night.

With 15 minutes left in the race Comanche looked the favourite. The lighter, newer, and faster of the two boats, LawConnect skipper and owner Christian Beck had accepted defeat.

“Because they [Andoo Comanche] took the lead pretty close to the line, we thought there was no way we could get it back,” Beck said.

“But a wind gust came round and miraculously it happened. It was a complete surprise, to be honest ... I can’t believe that result. Honestly, it’s a dream come true. I never thought it was possible, actually.”

The two 100-foot supermaxis had played cat-and-mouse all race.

LawConnect was 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.

Scallywag was forced to retire roughly six hours into the race after breaking her bow sprit.

Crew onboard LawConnect celebrate victory.Credit: Getty

Wild weather thrashed the fleet on the first night, destroying one of LawConnect’s running sails and forcing a number of smaller boats to retire due to sickness and damage to equipment.

Against the odds, LawConnect made it through the storm, down Bass Strait and into the Derwent, where the wind dropped off and the race slowed down.

Beck said it was unbelievable that a boat four tonnes heavier, carrying a handful of rookies, could be the fastest supermaxi in the world.

“There are two guys that really are instrumental – [sailing master] Tony Mutter and [crew member] Chris Nicholson – and they had a lot to contend with,” Beck said.

“Firstly, the boat, I jokingly call a shitbox, but compared to Comanche it honestly is a shitbox. I know it looks good on TV, but you go up close to that boat, it’s as rough as anything, and Comanche is a beautiful boat that’s better in every way ... The fact that they can make that boat beat Comanche is amazing.

“Secondly, they had a pretty lean budget, and thirdly they had five corporates, including me, on the boat to deal with, none of us know all that much about sailing, so to have all of that and still win the race, it’s actually an incredible feat.”

The final finish time of LawConnect was 1 day, 19 hours, 3 minutes and 58 seconds.

Of the 103-strong fleet to start the race, 11 have pulled the pin, including Rum Rebellion which returned to Sydney after skipper Shane Connelly was thrown overboard during their first night at sea.

Now, it’s a race for third, with Moneypenny, URM Group and Alive about 80 nautical miles from Constitution Dock.

with AAP

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