The 75th Sydney to Hobart yacht race a roaring success says boss

The biggest fleet in 25 years and a low attrition rate made the 75th Sydney Hobart one to remember.

Paul Billingham, Commodore of CYCA on Hobart's waterfront. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

THE 75th Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race was given a big tick of approval by event boss Paul Billingham after the biggest fleet in 25 years produced the highest finishing percentage on record.

“It had been in the planning for many years and it could not have gone any better,” said Billingham, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

“We had a starting fleet of 157 and 154 finishers, so it was an extremely low attrition rate and that’s what you want, people finishing this race, whether they are doing it for line honours and glory or just tick if off on the bucket list.

“We are absolutely delighted.”

Competitors, race past spectators at the start of the 75th Sydney Hobart. Picture: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi via AP

The race produced numerous highlights, from Comanche’s breakfast arrival in Hobart to claim a third line honours title, Sydney sailor Matt Allen claiming his second handicap title in three years on Ichi Ban, and the mass start of 157 yacht spread over four start lines.

“I’ll never forget the start, it was wonderful,” Billingham said.

“The finish on the Derwent was spectacular. As Comanche got closer to the line, more and more Tasmanians came out on their boats to see her and by the time she got to the finish there was well over 100 spectator boats.”

Comanche arriving in Hobart to claim a third line honours victory. Picture: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi via AAP

Tasmanian yacht Philosopher had a successful race, winning IRC Division 6, ORCi Division 5, and the Corinthian Division

Alive finished a commendable fourth in its attempt to retain the Tattersalls Cup for handicap, while it also cleaned up in its divisions, winning IRC Division 0, ORCi Division 1 and ORCi Overall.

Ichi Ban wins the Tattersall Cup as the overall winner in the 2019 Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

2Unlimited narrowly missed the win in IRC Division 4, claiming second while fellow-Tasmanians Team Runaway and Filepro were third and sixth respectively.

Filepro also had a win, taking the Veterans Division while She’s Apples II (Marcus McKay) was fifth, as well as coming seventh in IRC Division 6, one spot behind Midnight Rambler.

Windrose and Natelle Two – which stopped to drop off injured crewman Max Gluskie (concussion) – were 11th and 12th respectively in the Grand Veteran Division.