A historic moment unfolded at the 80th edition of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as Jiang Lin became the first female skipper to win overall honours. This remarkable achievement was made possible after a post-race time penalty impacted the standings significantly. The French yacht BNC, helmed by Michel Quintin and Yann Rigal, was penalised for using an incorrect sail configuration, allowing Lin’s yacht Min River to ascend from second place to claim victory.
On December 27, 2023, BNC was issued a time penalty of one hour and five minutes when video footage revealed the rule infringement just before crossing the finish line. This penalty shifted the leaderboard, propelling Min River to the top. “I never dreamed of winning it,” Lin stated, who co-sailed with Alexis Loison. “My ambition was just to win my division.”
The incident stemmed from a protest lodged by Min River against BNC after both yachts finished the grueling 628-nautical mile race. The protest was initiated following observations from other competitors who noted the breach. Ultimately, the protest was withdrawn when BNC acknowledged the violation, leaving the penalty determination to an international jury.
“It’s not like they did something against my boat, but something that would affect the whole fleet,” Lin explained, highlighting the importance of adherence to the rules. The breach involved the use of a pole to secure the spinnaker, which Rigal admitted was intended to allow them to clean the boat as they approached the finish. He estimated that the sail setup only provided a marginal speed advantage of about three to five minutes.
The race committee chair, Lee Goddard, confirmed that the jury deemed the penalty appropriate, stating, “They’ve used their spinnaker in an inappropriate way. They did not deliberately do it.” He also noted that BNC had maintained a lead of 54 minutes on handicap time before the penalty was applied.
In previous races, penalties have altered outcomes; notably, in 2017, Wild Oats XI lost line honours after a similar one-hour penalty. Quintin reflected on the ruling, saying, “The decision was difficult to listen to. But it’s sport; it’s life.” Despite the disappointment, he expressed pride in their performance.
The win for Min River, a 33-foot vessel, is particularly significant as it marks the first instance of a double-handed yacht, sailed by just two people, winning overall honours. Lin named her yacht after the river in China that flows through her parents’ home province, expressing hope that her success could serve as motivation for other women in sailing. “Look at me, if I can do it, surely you can,” she encouraged.
The result brought a bittersweet feeling for Loison, who has personal ties to BNC. “For me, it’s not very nice, but it’s a jury decision. That’s life,” he remarked.
As of December 27, 2023, three yachts remained at sea, with the NSW 39-footer Millennium Falcon at the tail end of the fleet. The race saw over a quarter of the original 128 yachts retire due to challenging early conditions. Meanwhile, the supermaxi Comanche secured line honours after a fierce contest off Tasmania’s east coast.
This year’s race has not only highlighted the competitive spirit of sailing but also showcased the importance of adhering to rules that govern the sport. The outcome serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of racing, where every decision can have far-reaching consequences.
