Freyja first to finish in 2018

IT may have been the last boat from the Sydney to Hobart yacht race to finish in 2017, but the crew of Freyja can proudly claim they were the first to finish in 2018.

After six rough days at sea aboard the 72-year-old boat — which has actually been to Hobart twice for the Wooden Boat Festival — the eightstrong crew finally was able to touch solid land when Freyja sailed into port just after 8am.

Captain Andrew Miller said the erratic weather en route was chief in the delay, but said it was an enjoyable voyage.

“There were times when it was calm and times where it was just chaos. Windy, stuff flying everywhere, really testing stuff,” he said.

“But it was good. When we came in, the other crews were there cheering us, it was great to see.”

After doing what every Sydney to Hobart finishing

There were times when it was calm and times where it was just chaos. Windy, stuff flying everywhere, really testing stuff. Freyja skipper ANDREW MILLER

crew does — have a few drinks — the Freyja team will undertake some necessary repairs on the yacht before sailing it back to Newcastle.

And while one may think they may be sailing back with their heads held low, you would be mistaken.

“We might have been last in 2017 but we have got line honours in 2018,” said former captain Ernie Thirkell.

“And we are going to have a decent lead over the others.”

Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES LAST BOAT HOME: The crew of Freyja, back from left, Kyle Hancock, Paul Flanagan, Louise Costello, Simon Macks, owner Richard Lees and Oonagh O'Donovan, and front from left, skipper Andrew Miller and Ernie Thirkell. Freyja, based in Newcastle, was the...