The classic timber yacht Love and War yesterday became only the second yacht to win the Sydney to Hobart handicap honors three times.
Ichi Ban, a sleek 70 foot (21.3m) flyer, had been favorite to take the title after crossing the line second on Friday, but improved conditions yesterday gave the coveted honor to Love and War.
The 47 foot (14.3m) timber sloop crossed the finish line off Hobart's Castray Esplanade at 9.17am yesterday, well ahead of its target of 11.46am.
It was the 34th time it had contested the event, previously winning on adjusted time in 1974 and 1978.
Skipper Lindsay May hoped his yacht's victory would encourage other older and smaller yachts to enter the prestigious blue-water classic.
"If they're capable of going to sea and they've done this race before, [with a] little bit of work to bring them up to safety category, they can get out there and with a bit of luck and well sailed, they can win the race," he said.
May said he was elated at his yacht's handicap victory: "This is really what a yachtsman wants to get."
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