Anthony Bell has sailed his last Sydney to Hobart, finishing on a high note with a record-crushing race victory before putting his beloved Perpetual Loyal up for sale.
Race officials have described Wednesday's finish time, an improvement of almost five hours on the previous record, as hard to beat.
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Skipper Anthony Bell celebrates at Constitution Dock after Perpetual Loyal wiped nearly five hours off the previous fastest Sydney to Hobart race record. Vision courtesy Rolex World of Yachting
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Perpetual Loyal wins in record time
Skipper Anthony Bell celebrates at Constitution Dock after Perpetual Loyal wiped nearly five hours off the previous fastest Sydney to Hobart race record. Vision courtesy Rolex World of Yachting
The Australian supermaxi chewed up the 628 nautical mile (1,163 km) course in one day, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 20 seconds.
After crossing the line at about 2.30am (AEDT) and pulling into Hobart's Constitution Dock, Bell was thrown into the water by his 18-member crew but remained composed right up until asked if he will be back in 2017.
"With all my heart, no," an emotional Bell replied.
"We called last shots for the boat last year. We said: 'This is going to be our last trip to Hobart' and we didn't make it to Hobart so we thought we should come back.
"This boat is a great boat and it needs the next owner, someone to pick it up and jump into it with passion and enthusiasm.
"We've got some detailed plans about something new and hot that I'm going to do in sailing."
Bell said it would be disrespectful to race organisers and competitors to announce his future endeavour.
Loyal's result will become a long-standing benchmark, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia commodore John Markos said.
"There's absolutely no doubt that this record will stand for a long time," he said.
The commodore also appreciated Bell's decision not to recontest the race.
"He's climbed Everest, he's reached the top, he doesn't have to do it again."
Loyal had failed in its Sydney to Hobart challenge for the past two years, retiring in 2015 with rudder damage and forced to pull out the year before because of hull damage after hitting something in the water.
But 2016 marked a perfect run for the 100-footer with Bell citing the good weather conditions.
Not so lucky in 2016 was eight-time line honours winner Wild Oats XI.
Leading the race and more than four hours ahead of its own 2012 race record time, the supermaxi was forced to retire on Tuesday morning with a hydraulic problem that stopped the boat's keel working.
Wild Oats XI is getting a brief once-over at the NSW far south coast township of Eden before returning to Sydney.
Owner Sandy Oatley has committed to contesting the race again in 2017.
Second place line honours went to New Zealand entry Giacomo, a Volvo 70 boat, which finished 116 minutes behind Loyal.
It is a clear favourite to take the overall prize as the wind dropped across southern Tasmania meaning smaller boats missed the cut-off needed for the Tattersall's Cup.
The overall winner may not be decided for another day as smaller boats continue their dash south.
Only 15 of the 83-strong race fleet are expected to reach Hobart on Wednesday.
SYDNEY TO HOBART 2016 LINE HONOURS RESULTS:
1. Perpetual Loyal (1 day, 13 hours, 31 minutes, 20 seconds – race record)
2. Giacomo (1d, 15h, 27m, 5s)
3. Scallywag (1d, 15h, 29m, 15s)
4. Black Jack (1d, 20h, 9m, 58s)
5. Beau Geste (1d, 21h, 3m, 34s)
Previous record
* 2012 Wild Oats XI (1d, 18h, 23m, 12s)
SYDNEY TO HOBART RECORD RACE TIMES:
* 2016 Perpetual Loyal 1 day, 13 hours, 31 minutes, 20 seconds
* 2012 Wild Oats XI 1d, 18h, 23m, 12s
* 2005 Wild Oats XI 1d, 18h, 40m, 10s
* 1999 Nokia 1d, 19h, 48m, 2s
* 1996 Morning Glory 2d, 14h, 7m, 10s
* 1975 Kiola III 2d, 14h, 36m, 56s
Slowest winner
* 1945 (inaugural) Rani 6d, 14h, 22m
AAP
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