In a stunning turn of events, Min River has emerged as the overall champion of the prestigious Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race following a successful protest against BNC – my::NET / LEON. An independent panel of experts from around the world convened for an hour-long public hearing at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania in Hobart. Their ruling has turned the final standings of the race on their head, putting Min River in first place.
Min River, a double-handed yacht crewed solely by skipper Lin (above, right) and her partner, encountered great trauma on course through the race. The ship faced four nights at sea in harsh conditions, with strong winds and heavy swells. It floundered at sea when the vessel lost all electronic equipment while crossing Bass Strait, thus not having wind detection instruments. Despite challenging conditions, Min River overcame many of these hurdles to come through the race as the 33rd crew over the line. Due to its winning appeal against BNC, which received a 65-minute penalty, Min River ended up winning on handicap.
Yet the jury’s decision came after Min River’s own protest – alleging a possible sail breach on behalf of BNC. The committee supported this protest, thus leaving BNC in second place behind Min River. With this ruling though, Min River was able to declare victory. She further set the record down under as the first female-skippered yacht to ever win the overall handicap, taking home the prestigious Tattersall Cup.
Min River’s path to victory wasn’t without its challenges. Despite having finished the race 54 minutes back of BNC on handicap, the crew showed great spirit and determination. Goddard, a member of Min River’s expert team, expressed his feelings in the wake of the ruling.
“I never dreamed of winning it.” – Lin
Beyond the immediate and literal victory of the race’s conclusion, it is a momentous accomplishment for Lin and her crew. Min River, named after a river in China, runs through the province where Lin’s parents were born and raised. On a personal, as well as competitive, level its success rings incredibly true.
“I’m sure for them (BNC) it’s very disappointing … I’m not sure I’d describe it (the overall result) as disappointing. The rules are the rules,” – Lee Goddard
Even in such a difficult situation, Lin ensured that her protest statement was not an attack on BNC. Instead, she trained her lens on problems affecting the whole fleet.
The recent court ruling has inspired several top finishers to look back on the race and what they encountered. Michel Quintin, attorney for BNC, conceded that it was hard to have to accept the decision, while celebrating the move as a recognition of their successes.
“It’s not like they did something against my boat, but something that would have an effect on the whole fleet,” – Lin
Quintin further noted, “We lose the race for just nothing … but we (still) feel like we did something really special.”
“The decision was difficult to listen (to). But it’s sport, it’s life,” – Michel Quintin
Quintin further noted, “We lose the race for just nothing … but we (still) feel like we did something really special.”
