The race in 2016 had what many considered to be freak conditions of fair weather but this was surpassed in 2017 with a reaching race akin to the Transpac and with few problems caused by currents. In consequence it was a race that favoured the more extreme modern designs. Light winds on a close reach and a swell of only one metre a far cry from the usual extreme conditions encountered. Last year\'s line honours, already exceptional were beaten by a further 4 hours. The 73rd Rolex Sydney Hobart will be remembered primarily for a record breaking run by LDV Comanche and the overall win by one of the sport’s great stalwarts – Matt Allen, owner of Ichi Ban. It will also stay in the memory for the epic downwind conditions experienced on the second and third days, which enabled the planning boats to demonstrate their prowess. Comanche is a 100 Super Maxi.
http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/the-yachts/2017/kialoa-ii/
The two big S&S classic boats in the Race could not compete under these conditions. Kialoa II 23m aluminium crossed the line 68th but 23rd Corinthina placing whereas Dorade crossed 77th. There were two more S&S designs: Eve, a Swan 65 crossed 66th and second in the Corinthian category whereas the little S&S34 Komatsu Azurro crossed 92nd.
This small crew of six have notched up over 100 Hobarts. In last year’s race, they sailed Komatsu Azzurro, ‘the ‘little boat that could’, to 13th overall for second in Division 4; won ORCi Division 4 and was third in the Corinthian Division in downhill conditions not suited to the S&S 34. The year before, almost snatched Sydney Hobart victory from Balance, but lack of breeze on rounding Tasman Island pushed them back to third overall (just six minutes shy of second place), second in Division 4, first in ORCi and Corinthian divisions. Kearns’ first Hobart with her was 2014, with a 33rd overall finish. Retired from the Cabbage Tree Island Race in November after a dust up off the start with the sizeable Eve left her with badly bent stanchions.
They won the 2015 and 2017 Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast races and won Division 4 in 2016. This little miracle rocket, formerly known as Shenandoah II, was found by Kearns near sinking in 2014. Buying her cheaply on his credit card, restored her, adding a Code Zero and a new staysail. The boat was built for Ron White, a past SYC commodore who won Division H of the 50th Hobart (boat was renamed Commonwealth Bank Shenandoah II), with a faster finishing time than the winners of Divisions F and G.
The S&S34 is indeed a timeless design.