Investec Loyal’s Derwent drift into second over the line

• NEWS
• 29 Dec, 2010 01:14:00 AM

Investec Loyal’s Derwent drift into second over the line

After being becalmed within sight of the line, Sean Langman and Anthony Bell’s 100-foot supermaxi Investec Loyal is the second boat to finish the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, three and a half hours behind the provisional line honours winner Wild Oats XI.

After being becalmed within sight of the line, Sean Langman and Anthony Bell’s 100-foot supermaxi Investec Loyal is the second boat to finish the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, three and a half hours behind the provisional line honours winner Wild Oats XI.

Investec Loyal crossed the line at 00.11.34 on Wednesday morning after experiencing a trying Derwent drifter as the wind dropped out just before midnight.

Langman, now a three-time bridesmaid in this race, congratulated the Wild Oats XI crew on being first to Hobart.

The outcome of an international jury hearing today (Wednesday) may determine if Investec Loyal is elevated to line honours winner of the 66th edition of the world renowned yacht race.

“I want a victory on the water,” Langman said on arrival after being asked how he would feel about being named line honours winner should Wild Oats XI be stripped of the honour for a rule infringement.

When asked whether he can challenge Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI again, and win, he responded “definitely, there is more in this boat, more in the team.

“The first afternoon we were the faster boat, they were a slicker team. We’ll change [that] though,” he warned. “We sailed a seamanship race.”

The jury will hear a protest today by the race committee against Wild Oats XI for a rule infringement that centres on the signal strength of their HF radio as they entered Bass Strait on Monday, a prerequisite that all boats must meet one of the outcomes of the tragic 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The crew on Investec Loyal included former Australian cricketer legend Matthew Hayden, seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley, Olympic butterfly champion Geoff Huegill and former Wallabies Phil Kearns and Phil Waugh.

Matthew Hayden was put to work on the bow, “it was hairy at times, getting the bodyweight low” - and did not suffer seasickness the whole way. He had such a great experience he would like to do it again.

“It would be nice to come back and get line honours.

“I felt safe, warm, I felt like I knew the boat. Our training really came in handy. I felt that I knew the vessel well enough to contribute the best of my ability and I had a ball. It’s such a different sporting culture and rates up there with some of the best teamwork I have ever seen.

“In a way it surpasses the challenges on a still playing field,” Hayden added.

Langman announced dockside that first timer Layne Beachley had taken out the “golden pillow award”.

"I felt sick the moment my first watch began at 9pm on Boxing Day night, and I didn’t get out of bed until 6am today,” she admitted matter-of-factly.

"I just wanted to get involved; I wanted to get on deck.

"I felt like I was being squeezed by a piece of rope around my stomach and squeezed and squeezed and squeezed until there wasn't any liquid in my body."

On Oats’ performance she said: “They're a well oiled machine, they're a professional crew, they've been training for this for years and they deserve a win.”

Swimming champ Huegill said: “What amazed me was the concentration aspect of it.

“For me I guess I just have to focus on 52 seconds or a 23-second race; you go through so many different elements”.

The talented sailing line-up included America’s Cup sailor Billy Merrington, Olympic sailor Anthony Nossiter and North Sails’ Michael Coxon.

Peter Millard and John Honan’s Lahana is the next due to finish, followed by Matt Allen’s Jones 70 Ichi Ban which featured in the top handicap placings earlier but is slowly slipping down the rankings now that the breeze has shut down.

By Bruce Montgomery, Rolex Sydney Hobart media team