Comanche limps home to win line honours

The Jim Clark and Kristy Hinze-Clark owned Comanche has limped home to become the first American boat in 17 years to take line honours in a rough and wild Sydney to Harbour.

The crippled supermaxi almost called it quits during the first night of the race after the starboard side dagger-board and rudder were mysteriously damaged in the blue water classic.

However, skipper Ken Read ran running repairs and the 100ft yacht was able to continue down the east coast of Australia.

The similarly damaged Rambler was expected to be her compatriot's biggest challenger but light afternoon conditions cruelled the yacht's chances.

And heading down the Derwent River in near darkness, Comanche built an unassailable lead and became the first American boat to take line honours since 1998.