Comanche confirmed winner after protest
MELBOURNE: Australian supermaxi LDV Comanche was awarded line honours for the Sydney to Hobart bluewater classic on yesterday after an international jury imposed a one-hour penalty on Wild Oats XI following a protest.
Wild Oats smashed the race record when it crossed the line at Constitution Dock in Hobart on Wednesday after taking one day, eight hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds to complete the 630nautical mile (1,170 km) race.
Comanche, which had led for much of the race before both boats stalled in fickle winds on the River Derwent, finished just over 26 minutes later.
Comanche, however, had protested about a near collision between the two super-maxis when Wild Oats completed a tack about 15 minutes after the start in Sydney harbour.
The jury upheld the protest yesterday and imposed a onehour penalty on the Mark Richards-skippered Wild Oats, which had won the race eight times before.
“Wild Oats XI had to keep clear, failed to keep clear while tacking, Oats did not do turn,” race organisers said.
“Decision is penalised by one hour. Comanche is line honours winner.”
It was the first time a yacht had been stripped of line honours since Rothmans in 1990.
“I didn’t expect to protest in order to win the race, it was all about our actions to avoid a collision and the fact that was necessary,” Comanche owner Jim Cooney said.
Five boats in total, also including Black Jack, InfoTrack and Beau Geste, beat the previous record of one day, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 20 seconds. Reuters