Helsal II wins Melbourne to Hobart

by Event media/Sail-World on 29 Dec 2005 The Derwent River provided the usual picturesque backdrop for the finish of the 480 nm.Heemskirk Consolidated 2005 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race today. With the sun shining and the Taste of Tasmania festival in full swing the Elizabeth street pier was full of people to cheer the line honours winner, Bill Rawson’s Helsal II over the line and into its berth.

Despite the gear damage they had sustained last night, which almost certainly cost them the race record, they still finished in just over two days. With an official finish time of 16.52.13 they headed Gusto by 45 minutes, a testament to their sailing ability in the ever fickle Derwent, as the two yachts had been neck a neck at Cape Queen Elizabeth, below Iron Pot

Helsal II emulated their own decal of the Southern Albatross as they flew up the river with a full mainsail and a number 5 headsail, all three other finishers so far, came in heavily reefed.

The 1978 built 20 metre pocket maxi has now competed in 17 Sydney to Hobart races and this was her third Melbourne to Hobart race.

The solid afternoon breezes of 25 knots have dropped this evening to about 10 to 12 knots, meaning that the smaller yachts will have a slower trip to home, however the gale warning for the south west coast is till in force with 48 knot winds recorded at Maatsuyker , Rough Red, Avenger, and Zest are all in this area .

Runaway, the 11 metre yacht, out of Royal Brighton Yacht Club is currently in the river and making its way to Elizabeth pier. Next sked for those still at sea is 23:05 with information to follow.

Line Honours Results So Far Helsal II 16.52.13
Gusto 17.37.36
Quetzalcoatl 17.42 .27
Tevake II 17.59.12