- Sam Haynes and his team were awarded the Tattersall Cup on Sunday
- Tragic events rocked the race on Friday after the deaths of two competitors.
New South Wales yacht Celestial V70 toasted overall victory in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race after navigating “nuclear” weather through Bass Strait.
Skipper Sam Haynes and his crewmates were awarded the Tattersall Cup on Sunday afternoon after being named provisional winners of the handicap competition.
The 79th edition of the 628 nautical mile event was struck by tragedy on its first night when two competitors died at sea due to bad weather.
“We are very aware of the events that have occurred in this race,” Haynes said.
'It's something that's on mine and the crew's minds. “We are very sad and thinking of the families of those involved.”
Vet Haynes chartered the Volvo 70 with a view to regaining the Tattersall Cup after winning the handicap race in a smaller boat called Celestial in 2022.
The Celestial V70 crew have claimed the Tattersall Cup after being crowned overall winners of the Sydney to Hobart race.
Vet captain Sam Haynes chartered the Volvo 70 with a view to regaining the Tattersall Cup after winning the handicap race in a smaller boat called Celestial in 2022.
He described the yacht's conditions as “nuclear” across Bass Strait.
“It was a challenging race forecast (but) with suitable conditions for this type of boat,” Haynes said.
“The leg through Bass Strait was very difficult for us, but we negotiated that transition between the northerly breeze and the front.
'(With) this boat, we have a yacht that travels at high speed… it goes through the waves, it doesn't jump them.
“From our experience (in the race), it was absolutely spectacular.”
Haynes competed in his 13th Sydney to Hobart with the majority of the 2022 victory crew and attributed the success to a coastal route off the east coast of Tasmania.
“It's a great joy to be able to perform at that level and get to the point where you can hold that trophy once again,” he said.
Celestial V70 was second to cross the line at 5:10 a.m. Saturday, behind back-to-back honors winner LawConnect, which finished at 2:35 a.m.
Haynes (second from right) said: “It's a great joy to be able to perform at that level and get to the point where you can hold that trophy once again.”
There have been 30 retirements in weather conditions reaching 40 knots, including line honours, the elegant Master Lock Comanche and the 2023 overall winner Alive.
Twelve yachts from the initial 104-strong fleet finished the race at 5pm on Sunday, with 62 still at sea.
There have been 30 retirements in weather conditions reaching 40 knots, including line honours, the elegant Master Lock Comanche and the 2023 overall winner Alive.
Roy Quaden, 55, and Nick Smith, 65, died off the New South Wales south coast after being struck by crew aboard the Flying Fish yachts Arctos and Bowline respectively.
Regatta organizers have promised an investigation into the deaths, the first since 1998, when six sailors died, prompting massive safety reforms.
Experienced MWF Kayle skipper John Whitfield said winds were 10 to 15 knots on Sunday morning, creating “champagne” conditions off the Tasmanian coast after having exhausted previous races.
Whitfield, on his 30th voyage from Sydney to Hobart, said his crew had to drain the engine twice after it flooded.
“We've had a lot of water along the bow and a lot below,” he said.
'We are thinking of those who lost their lives. “We are definitely looking forward to Hobart.”