Overview

• Australian supermaxi LawConnect claimed consecutive line honors with a time of 1 day, 13 hours, 35 minutes, and 13 seconds, finishing ahead of Celestial and Wild Thing.
• Sailors Roy Quaden, 55, and Nick Smith, 65, died in separate sail boom-related accidents during rough weather on the night of December 26-27.
• The fatalities are the first in the iconic race since six sailors died in the catastrophic 1998 event, which led to major safety reforms.
• A total of 29 yachts retired from the race due to damage or challenging weather, including former champion Comanche, which suffered a damaged mainsail.
• The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and law enforcement officials have launched investigations into the incidents, with both yachts involved seized for evidence.