Celestial V70 Wins Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as Tragic Losses Overshadow Event

The 79th edition of the iconic race saw two fatalities and challenging conditions, with Celestial V70 provisionally securing the Tattersall Cup.

Celestial V70, skippered by Sam Haynes, has been named the provisional overall winner of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, marking Haynes' second victory after a 2022 win.
The race was marred by the deaths of two sailors, Roy Quaden and Nick Smith, in separate incidents during rough weather on the first night of competition.
The 628-nautical-mile race featured high seas and gale-force winds, leading to 30 yachts withdrawing from the 104-strong fleet that began on Boxing Day.
LawConnect, a 100-foot supermaxi skippered by Christian Beck, claimed line honours for the second consecutive year with a time of 1 day, 13 hours, 35 minutes, and 13 seconds.
Race organisers have pledged to investigate the fatalities, the first since 1998, when six sailors lost their lives, prompting significant safety reforms.