Comanche. Credit:Getty Images "She's our head cheerleader. I keep telling her we don't have much of a rudder and she keeps asking if we're still going to win," Read said of Hinze-Clark after he decided to continue racing. Remarkably, after a 13-hour pursuit, Comanche caught and passed the then race leader, the American 88-footer Rambler 88 that is owned by American multimillionaire and retired businessman George David. Comanche's comeback immediately triggered recollection of Read's observation of Hinze-Clark as the wait began to see if Comanche could actually claim the line honours win that escaped it last year. Then, in its first major ocean race, Comanche placed second to the Mark Richards skippered Wild Oats XI that retired from this year's race on the first night due to damage, as did Anthony Bell's Perpetual Loyal. But a year on, the final answer to the question on everyone's lips in Hobart came on the finish line after darkness fell on Monday night with the sound of a hooter and the sight of the Comanche crew celebrating.

Kristy Hinze-Clark (left) on board Super-maxi Comanche as it prepared to race on December 26. Credit:Cameron Spencer Afterwards Read elaborated on Hinze-Clark's contribution to the crew's effort, saying of the co-owner who was sprayed with champagne as they docked: "I have been most impressed by this young lady here. "First time out in the open ocean. She has been out in plenty of boats but has never done anything like this. "And she was as tough as nails. There was no baby sitting involved and [she] did some driving and she is one the grinders and everything else. She as very impressive. "All you Australians should be proud of your little daughter here."

Hinze-Clark, who said of her champagne shower "I got more wet now than I did in that whole race" was clearly emotional as she stepped ashore. On the race, and its challenges, she said: "There were a bunch of emotions that went on. Pure terror at one stage. Excitement. Now just total joy and fulfilment. It is one of the best things I have ever done." Hinze-Clark said the first night when the southerly struck, she said it "was really gruelling. For these guys [the crew] it was absolutely nothing but there were a few times where I was like, 'Hey Ken, are we ok?'" Hinze-Clark's candid assessment of the race was not just the first impression of a Sydney to Hobart rookie, especially in light of Read's assessment of the Sydney to Hobart. "This is a hard race. That is a one hard, hard body of water," Read said.

"I have sailed around the world two-and-a-half times and thought I had seen it all. But that is one really tough body of water. "The people who have done this race like 25 times, God bless them. Either they are the dumbest people on earth or they are the hardest people one earth – probably a combination of both." Comanche's win had some historical significance. Not since 2009 had a foreign boat won line honours – that being, the New Zealand registered Alfa Romeo owned by New Zealander Neville Crichton who lives in Sydney. The last American line honours winner was Larry Ellison's Sayonara in 1998. However, before the race, Clark felt winning would not totally rob Australians. Asked how he felt about possibly upsetting the local party he quipped, referring to his wife: "We are half Aussie." But whether Comanche, that also has a number of other Australian crew, returns next year to defend its title next year - or any year - is still an open question.

Clark re-iterated his wish to not come back, again citing the four-and-a-half months it takes to come to Australia for a one race campaign; but after the win indicated the subject was open for debate. "That is to be determined but I'm not excited about coming back next year. We have been here for the last two years," Clarke said. "It's about a four-and-a-half month ordeal to get down here and back and it's one race and there are lots of other things to do in the world. "We will have to think about it. I am not sure if we will come back. I am not saying it's the total last time. "[But] I am not guaranteeing we are going to come back." Hinze-Clark then interjected, saying: "It's not going to be the last time .. not if I have got anything to do with it," to which Clark's response was to say: "Oh God."

After Comanche arrived, interest began to focus on which boats would fill the last podium spots with expectation being that they would be Rambler 88 and Syd Fischer's Ragamuffin 100. There was also the most important of all for purists — which boat would win the race on handicap or corrected time and claim the Tattersall's Cup. That could take a day or two to be decided.