Getting in Later

Once the Line Honours winner for the 2014, 70th Anniversary, Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was across the line, the crowds began to disperse. Those that stayed, settled in for the near 1 hour wait before Comanche made it to the finish line.

 The sea plane somehow managed to find it's 'runway' area among the chaos.

The dock, empty and waiting for the finishers.

Comanche, with spinnaker aloft made a deep tack into Sandy Bay.

Being escorted to the line by a fleet of welcoming craft.

The powerboats going flat out to keep up.

After Comanche, the next arrivals were predicted to arrive overnight so the big show wound up for the day. Those that did arrive during darkness were perhaps lucky. By morning, there was a northerly blowing. A big northerly. In fact, it was gusting 60knots and we found it difficult to walk along the jetties at the yacht club. The Bloke doubled the leads on Zofia and was quite concerned. The sky looked like it might even deliver hail. The River Derwent was all whitewater and spume. OMG! Those poor crews!

This poor competitor had lost 2/3rds of it's mast and was just trying to get in under jury rig and storm sail. A number of boats had to run before the wind and turn back down The Derwent just to survive. A bitter pill, when within sight of the finish line after close to 630nm.

Yet another finisher with the neon orange storm sail when conditions had eased a little.

A racer escorted by officials into the waiting pens at the dock.

117 yachts began their journey in Sydney on Boxing Day. 103 completed the race. The final arrival being almost exactly 2 days after the first. Witnessing all this gave us goosebumps... Epic!