Tasmanian skipper Duncan Hine won the Sydney-Hobart last year on Alive and it changed his life

Winning the Sydney-Hobart changed skipper Duncan Hine’s life, but not in a way he expected. Now he wants to taste victory champagne again.

THE happiest man in Australian yacht racing still can’t believe he won the Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race last year — that’s why Duncan Hine can’t wipe the smile off his face.

Hine, 54, skippered the 66-foot Tasmanian pocket-maxi Alive to a famous victory in the world’s premier blue water yacht race and sailing fans worldwide know his name.

In Hobart for Christmas before joining the crew in Sydney for the start of the 75th anniversary race on Boxing Day, Hine says it has still not fully sunk in that Alive claimed the coveted Tattersalls Cup.

Duncan Hine. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

One of 15 Tasmanian yachts in this year’s milestone race, which has attracted 157 yachts, Alive is again one of the pre-race favourites on handicap.

“I’m excited about this year’s race,” Hine said.

“There’s plenty of anticipation and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Winning the Sydney-Hobart changed his life, but not in a way he expected.

“It put more pressure on me to continue winning,” Hine said. “Everybody knows the boat, everybody knows we won, and everybody knows Phil Turner and myself.

“It has been a good reception.”

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Alive is suited to the 628 nautical mile Hobart race.

“It is the right design for a lot of different races,” Hine said.

“It’s a very good windward, leeward boat, and traditionally this is a windward, leeward course, and that’s good for us.

“There certainly pressure on us to go back-to-back. I certainly would love to.”

The 75th Sydney-Hobart starts at 1pm on Thursday.