URGENT UPDATE: A protest could potentially overturn the historic victory of French sailors Michel Quintin and Yann Rigal, who are poised to become the first double-handed crew to win overall honors in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. The duo arrived at Constitution Dock aboard their vessel, BNC – my::NET / LEON, at 10:40 AM on December 26, 2023, topping the overall handicap leaderboard.
However, a protest lodged by the yacht Min River, which finished second overall, could jeopardize their win. The protest, submitted on Tuesday night, concerns the use of sheeting sails, and an international jury will consider it on Wednesday morning. The stakes are high, as a time penalty could strip Quintin and Rigal of their hard-earned title.
Min River’s corrected time stands 54 minutes behind BNC, raising questions about the potential impact of this protest. In a similar case in 2017, Wild Oats XI received a one-hour penalty for breaking race rules, resulting in a loss of line honors, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Earlier on Tuesday, NSW yacht Crux led the overall standings but was delayed by a southerly breeze. Traditionally, larger yachts have dominated overall honors in recent years; BNC measures only 35 feet in length, significantly smaller than line honors winner Master Lock Comanche.
Quintin and Rigal, seasoned sailors from New Caledonia, have trained together for five years for this prestigious race. “We came here to test ourselves… we didn’t really know what results we’d have,” Quintin expressed before learning of their top position. Rigal shared the challenges faced during the race, revealing, “I’m never seasick but the first six hours I couldn’t eat.”
The duo battled tough conditions, with seasickness affecting a significant portion of the fleet; 34 yachts out of 128 had to retire. “We didn’t sleep much; it was very busy. The waves and the seas were crazy,” Rigal added.
Complicating their journey, Quintin noted that their electronic equipment failed while crossing Bass Strait, leaving them without critical information on wind direction. “When you have to steer nearly all day and all night long, you’re tired,” he indicated, illustrating the physical and mental toll of the race.
As of 6 PM on Tuesday, more than 60 yachts had finished, with Comanche already having claimed its fifth line honor on Sunday against competitors like LawConnect and SHK Scallywag 100.
The outcome of the protest will be closely watched, as it could change the course of this year’s race and define the legacy of these pioneering sailors. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the international jury prepares to make its decision on Wednesday.
