Scarlet Runner and Rushour have dominated the Melbourne to Hobart in a historic race for the leading multihull boats.
After looking on target for the monhull race record, Scarlet Runner fell short on Sunday because of conditions across Bass Strait and on the River Derwent.
But Rushour crushed the multihull race record by nearly 30 hours, with the next two finishers in that category also going under the old mark.
Rob Date's Scarlet Runner was the first yacht out of the Port Phillip Heads and it continued to dominate the race, claiming line honours early on Sunday morning in one day 18 hours 40 minutes 28 seconds.
Scarlet Runner is also the provisional handicap winner and as of Sunday afternoon was the only monohull finisher.
Rushour won the multihull class in one day 13 hours 31 minutes 50 seconds, ahead of Peccadillo and Resolute II.
Even for a sailor, Date said the race conditions were particularly wet.
“It’s a tough race … I’ve been in a lot of ocean races, and I’ve never been as wet as we were," he said.
“The seas were disorientated and big and wet, I don’t know how else to describe it, I’ve never been so wet in my life.
“Every single part of our boat is wet from backside to topside.
“We’ve had a good race, it was windy, it was good fun."
Date added their hopes of the monohull race record were dashed by the conditions.
He was also realistic about trying to beat home Rushour.
“The bottom line is we are 43 (feet) and they are 52 feet - it’s hard to beat a 52-foot race boat with a 43-foot race boat, it’s as simple as that," he said.
“We weren’t too upset, we gave it a shake …we had a quick race and we tried pretty hard."
Drew Carruthers, who designed and skippered Rushour, was relieved after his debut in the 52nd edition of the race known as the Westcoaster.
"We are happy - we got here without any major dramas and looked after the boat," he said.
