White Noise wins Melb-Devonport yacht race

The smallest boat in the Melbourne to Devonport field, White Noise, has won the Rudder Cup for a handicap victory.

The Daniel Edwards-skippered Beneteau First 35 was fourth over the line at 5:21am AEDT on Tuesday morning.

In light conditions, just 46 minutes separated White Noise and the handicap runner-up Merlion after the 195-nautical mile race.

White Noise's corrected time of one day, 10 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds was good enough to beat the field of eight and claim Australia's oldest ocean yacht race.

Edwards said despite slower conditions across Bass Strait than the Sydney to Hobart fleet, there was plenty to keep his crew busy.

"The sea state wasn't ferocious but it was very technical sailing, we had to be on our toes constantly," he said.

"We're the smallest boat in the fleet so the conditions were to our benefit.

"It's awesome, it's something we've aimed for for a long time."

Peccadillo took line honours, finishing at 2:17am on Tuesday morning ahead of Tevake II and Merlion.

Third-placed Merlion briefly led on Monday afternoon when the first two finishers sailed into a windless hole but a north-easterly breeze allowed the pair to swoop by in the evening.

Merlion was awarded second place on handicap, with Biddy Hu II third.

Racing in the Melbourne to Hobart continues, with race veteran Extasea leading One For The Road past Macquarie Harbour on Tuesday morning.

MELBOURNE TO DEVONPORT RESULTS: HANDICAP WINNERS

1. White Noise

2. Merlion

3. Biddy Hu II

LINE HONOURS

1. Peccadillo

2. Tevake II

3. Merlion

4. White Noise

5. Halcyon

6. Biddy Hu II

7. Barcardi