Hobart, Australia (December 29, 2021) – Black Jack sailed across the Castray Esplanade finish line in Hobart at 01:37:17 this morning, claiming line honors in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, in the time of two days 12 hours 37 minutes 17 seconds.Right up until late last evening, it was unclear which of the three 100-foot boats would be the victor. SHK Scallywag led out of Sydney Heads on Boxing Day, but had her share of troubles after, paving the way for Black Jack and LawConnect to fight it out.Black Jack rounded Tasman Island at 9:50pm last evening, her navigator Alex Nolan giving an ETA at the finish line of 02:15am. The hooter from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania’s finish boat sounded inside that time, but well outside the race record of 01:09:15:24 set by LDV Comanche (Jim Cooney/Samantha Grant) in 2017.It was never going to be a quick race, or an easy one. The Bureau of Meteorology predicted harsh southerlies and confused seas from the first afternoon and the prediction was correct.On the dock to greet the crew was the yacht’s owner, Peter Harburg, who for the first time, did not sail on the yacht. The Queensland yachtsman elected to stay ashore this year, “and let the crew do what they do best.” So he left the boat in the capable hands of his long-time skipper and friend, Mark Bradford.
Source: Sydney Hobart: Black Jack claims line honors victory >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News
