
Australian 52-footer Balance was Thursday crowned the overall winner of the Sydney to Hobart race, after overcoming the roughest conditions in many years that forced dozens of yachts to retire.
American 100-footer supermaxi Comanche on Tuesday won line honours over the 628-nautical-mile course in two days, eight hours, 58 minutes and 30 seconds, the first victorious US entry since 1998.
Balance took out the Tattersall's Cup -- handicap honours for the vessel that performs best according to size -- after main rival and one of the smallest competing boats, local 33-footer Quikpoint Azzurro, missed a pre-dawn arrival deadline.
Balance -- which won the race in 2008 under the name Quest -- had finished seventh in line honours on Tuesday with a race time of three days, three hours, 50 minutes and 45 seconds.
Owner-skipper Paul Clitheroe, 60, said it was an "absolute honour" to win the blue water classic with his 10-year-old yacht, which has now taken out handicap honours in two out of five Sydney to Hobart attempts.
"I thought the little boat had beaten us, until the Derwent River decided otherwise," the financial guru added.
Some 108 yachts had left Sydney on Saturday, battling strong winds and punishing conditions as they headed towards Hobart's Constitution Dock on the island state of Tasmania, with more than 30 boats unable to complete the race.
Source: AFP
GMT 18:30 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
FIFA trial: New York jury acquits former Peru soccer bossGMT 13:18 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
Early drama as Sydney to Hobart fleet race to break recordGMT 20:25 2017 Monday ,25 December
Klopp urges Liverpool to focus on Euro ambitionsGMT 18:35 2017 Monday ,25 December
Mutko suspends Russian football role to fight Olympic lifetime banGMT 10:11 2017 Monday ,25 December
Federer, Nadal shine as rivals hobble into 2018GMT 19:22 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Southampton's Austin charged with violent conductGMT 18:02 2017 Sunday ,24 December
'Tongan Bear' Uhila extends Clermont contractGMT 17:07 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Serena Williams to make competitive return in Abu Dhabi next week
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor