PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ A Maine-made yacht has won a prestigious sailing race from Sydney, Australia, to Hobart, Tasmania, and back.
The 100-foot Comanche is owned by billionaire Texan Jim Clark, a co-founder of Netscape, and his wife, Kristi. It finished the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Monday in two days, 8 hours, 58 minutes and 30 seconds.
Dangerous seas caused damage that knocked out some of the competitors. And Comanche's skipper nearly gave up before the crew repaired a damaged rudder.
It was the first time that a Maine-built boat has won the race. Hodgdon Yachts, which built Comanche, is based in East Boothbay.