The_Guardian_-_2016-12-29

Perhaps more impressive was the proximity she kept to the line honours winner Loyal. Despite being
two-thirds the size of the black behemoth, Giacomo was a mere two hours astern of Loyal over the
628 nautical mile course.
Being crowned handicap winner was a sweet moment for Delegat, who was forced to retire from the
race two years ago after his entry encountered trouble on the Tasmanian coast.
Delegat competed alongside his two young sons Nikolas and James in a 13-man outfit. “The
impressive, hard work for the crew was tireless. It was a race of opportunity,” said the skipper, who
this year topped his previous best effort of sixth over the line.
After three days of ocean racing it could have been another family that knocked off Giacomo – the
father and son pairing of Sean and Peter Langman.
The Langman’s entrant Maluka of Kermandie was the smallest and oldest boat in the fleet that still
had a chance to dethrone Giacomo.
But the nine-metre Huon pine marvel was cruelled by the easing wind conditions along the south east
coast of Tasmania and its chances of victory were wiped out early this afternoon – leaving Giacomo
the outright winner.
This morning celebrated sailor Adrienne Cahalan crossed the line aboard Ragamuffin to become the
first woman to compete in 25 Sydney to Hobart yacht races.
The navigator – who plotted Wild Oats XI towards two of her race records in 2005 and 2012 – was
sad to see her record tumble, but was consoled by the fact it went to another crew she had charted for
in Loyal.
All 83 competing boats are expected to be tied up at Constitution Dock by Friday morning.
This article was downloaded by calibre from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/dec/29/giacomo-declaredoverall-winner-of-sydney-to-hobart-race
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