Sydney Hobart 2012 – Maluka of Kermandie's arrival formally ends race

by Di Pearson on 1 Jan 2013 The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2012 officially closed its curtain after Sean Langman-skippered Maluka of Kermandie crossed the finish line at 9.40.12pm, ending up last on line in the 628-nautical mile ocean race for the second consecutive year.

Sean Langman’s 80 year-old gaff rigged Maluka of Kermandie arrived last on line in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, but she arrived well in time to see the New Year in, as many revellers clapped her into Kings Pier last evening.

Langman, who once again sailed the smallest (9.1m) boat in the fleet, took a ‘double’ of sorts, as he was last on line in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s 2011 race also. This year he finished at 9.40.12pm, outside of last year’s finish time of 04.48.22pm. The crew were just pleased to be out of the cold and in time to celebrate New Year and enjoyed the crowd of friends and fans who were at the dock to meet them.

Joining him aboard again were his daughter, Nicki and 19 year-old son Pete, who skippered the yacht to Hobart last year, but played a role as crew to his dad this year. Also aboard the yacht were husband and wife team, Shaun and Erin McKnight, parents of two young children who have raced on the yacht previously.

Four yachts remained at sea yesterday, with John Bankart’s Eressea from Mooloolaba making painfully slow progress up the Derwent towards the finish line, before finally crossing just after 5.00pm. She beat her Queensland competition, Charlie’s Dream, a Bluewater 450 cruiser owned by Peter Lewis, by just over one hour.

This was a third Hobart for Lewis and his crew, and their third finish, albeit a slow one, as the yacht circled slowly before crossing the Castray Esplanade finish line.

Beating Maluka of Kermandie to the punch by nearly 12 minutes was CIC Technology Inca. Owner, Noel Sneddon, said they had ruined most sails in their wardrobe, which slowed them down considerably. They crossed the finish at 9.28.49pm.