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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
History made as initial Sydney to Hobart handicap winner overturned
Sam Kosack • December 31st, 2025 5:50 pm
Double-handed Min River has been named the handicap winner of the Sydney to Hobart after a protest against initial winners BNC was upheld.
In a shock turn of events, BNC has been handed a one hour and five-minute penalty for a sail breach, where it is understood a pole was used to secure the spinnaker sail during the finish, violating the rules around “sheeting sails” regulations.
In sailing, a sheet refers to a rope or cable used to control the movable corners of a sail.
The penalty was enough for Min River to make up the 54-minute difference between themselves and BNC, elevating the duo into first to make history as the first double-handed yacht to win the event.
It also marks the first time a female skipper has won the Sydney to Hobart with co-skippers Jiang Lin and Alexis Loison steering Min River home.
Race committee chair Lee Goddard commented on the penalty, saying that BNC gained an unfair advantage and a proportionate penalty was necessary.
"Essentially, they've actually used their spinnaker in an inappropriate way which is perceived as an advantage," Mr Goddard said.
"They did not deliberately do it; they probably did not understand fully that they were going to break the rule, but it was photographed."
Min River was named handicap winners and awarded the Tattersall Cup, seen as the “crown jewel” or prizes by sailors. Handicap victory in the Sydney to Hobart is different to line honours, which went to Comanche which was the first boat to cross the finish line.
