LawConnect has won line honours in the Sydney to Hobart for the second year in a row.
The supermaxi crossed the finish line in Hobart at 2:35am on Saturday morning, completing the race in 1 day, 13 hours, 35 minutes and 13 seconds.
Skipper Tony Mutter said this year’s Sydney to Hobart race was the “roughest” of the 11 he has done.
“It was challenging conditions … But you know, we came through okay. We didn’t break too much stuff and people are okay. We’ve got a few bumps and bruises.”
Mutter said the boat had to execute five gybes in 35 to 40 knots of wind during the first night of the race, which he called “right on the limit” for the yacht.
He said the crew had to slow the boat down for several hours after a front passed through “just to save the hull”, dashing hopes of beating Comanche’s 2017 record.
“Even before the start, from what I saw in the forecast, there was no chance, especially once we had to slow down once the front rolled over and we had to go across Bass Strait,” he said.
Mutter said he was surprised to see the supermaxi Comanche retire from the race this year, but understood the difficulty of having to gybe a 100-foot yacht in the conditions.
He said the news of the deaths of fellow competitors Nick Smith and Roy Quaden on the first night of the race “absolutely” affected the crew.
“It became more sombre. We were surprised and obviously you know, just felt for the other competitors. It’s not a very nice thing to hear,” he said.
“I actually didn’t hear it on the first night. I didn’t hear it until early hours of the next morning. We were pretty busy.”
“So we were 100% focused on the race. I think our navigator knew and he just had to pick the right moment to let us know.”
Mutter said his crew were not doing any celebrations on the boat, including the traditional champagne spray, out of respect for the victims.
He said the incident puts into perspective how dangerous the race can be, but said he is “used to” racing in even worse conditions.
“For me, you know, I’ve raced six times around the world. I’ve seen way worse conditions than that for weeks, week or two weeks on end,” he said.
Mutter said he was “proud” of the crew and how they raced the yacht, despite some “mishaps”.
He said the crew were excited to be in Hobart and that several of them were experiencing the race for the first time.
“They came out with all big smiles at the end of it and certainly, if not now but later on, I think they’ll certainly look back on it and will remember it.”
